Survey looks at health care access, affordability in 11 countries

About one-third of U.S. adults reported problems accessing care in the past year due to costs, more than in 10 other countries but down from 37% in 2013, according to a survey released today by the Commonwealth Fund. However, U.S. adults reported faster access to a doctor or nurse and easier access to after-hours care than adults in five other countries. In all of the countries surveyed (Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and U.S.), low-income adults were more likely than other adults to report cost-related access problems and multiple chronic conditions. U.S. adults reported the highest rate of multiple chronic conditions (28%), and were more likely to report financial stress related to food and housing costs (22%). About one-third of adults in six countries, including the U.S., reported experiencing at least one care coordination problem in the past two years. Among other findings, U.S. adults were the most likely to receive clinical counseling on a healthy diet and exercise. “Overall, the survey findings point to the need to take a population health orientation that identifies all of the contributors to poor health, including socioeconomic disadvantages that could affect health and well-being,” the authors said.