Sick Around the World is a documentary film produced by Frontline, a public affairs television program that airs on PBS stations in the United States. The film explores the healthcare systems of five different countries: Japan, Germany, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The film begins by exploring Japan's healthcare system, which is known for its universal coverage and low costs. The Japanese government provides health insurance to all citizens and residents, and private insurance is also available. The healthcare system is funded through a mix of taxes, premiums, and out-of-pocket expenses. One of the key features of the Japanese healthcare system is its emphasis on preventive care, which helps to keep costs down and improve overall health outcomes.
Next, the film turns to Germany, which has a universal healthcare system that is funded through a combination of taxes, premiums, and out-of-pocket expenses. Like Japan, Germany places a strong emphasis on preventive care and has a high rate of vaccination. The healthcare system in Germany is known for its efficiency and cost-effectiveness, and patients have a high level of satisfaction with the care they receive.
The film also looks at Taiwan, which underwent a major overhaul of its healthcare system in the 1990s. Prior to the reforms, Taiwan had a largely privatized healthcare system that was expensive and left many people uninsured. The reforms introduced universal coverage, and the healthcare system is now funded through a mix of taxes and premiums. The reforms have been successful in increasing access to healthcare and improving health outcomes, but there are still issues with cost containment and the sustainability of the system.
The United Kingdom is the fourth country featured in the film. The UK has a universal healthcare system known as the National Health Service (NHS), which is funded through taxes. The NHS provides free healthcare to all citizens and is known for its high quality and efficiency. However, the NHS has faced challenges in recent years due to rising costs and increasing demand for services.
Finally, the film examines the healthcare system in the United States, which is unique among developed countries in that it is largely private and for-profit. The healthcare system in the US is expensive and leaves many people uninsured, and there are significant disparities in access to care based on income and geography. Despite these challenges, the US healthcare system is also known for its innovation and high-quality care.
Overall, Sick Around the World provides a compelling and informative look at the healthcare systems of five different countries. It highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each system and raises important questions about how to provide high-quality, affordable healthcare to all citizens.