The United States spends more on health per capita than any other country. The United States spends about 16 percent of its GDP on health care—the largest expenditure in this category among industrialized countries. Even though the U.S. health system is the most expensive in the world, comparative analyses consistently show the United States underperforms relative to other countries on most dimensions of health performance. Ask students to discuss why this might be? What are potential solutions?

According to research, the higher one’s education level, the better one’s health. Ask students to discuss why this might be.

Many Americans are going overseas to seek treatment and/or to have surgeries because the costs may be cheaper and more efficient. Discuss with the class the pros and cons of this type of practice.