Global Healthcare Comparison Matrix and Narrative Statement – COVID-19

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Global Healthcare Issue	COVID-19
Description	COVID-19 is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, which was first identified in Wuhan, China, in late 2019, and it rapidly spread worldwide, leading to a pandemic.
Country	United States	China
Describe the policy in each country related to the identified healthcare issue	In response to COVID-19, the United States has established a healthcare policy that includes a combination of federal and state-level measures, such as vaccination programs, testing, and mask laws, with minor variances per state.	To restrict the spread of COVID-19, China has enacted policies like the zero-COVID policy that consists of rules like massive lockdowns, mass testing, contact tracing, and quarantine procedures, frequently at the city or regional level (Chen & Oakes, 2023).
What are the strengths of this policy?	The COVID-19 policy’s assets include its adaptability to changing regional demands, a significant emphasis on immunization campaigns, and the use of advanced medical technologies and research skills.	Its strengths lay in its capacity to quickly deploy stringent measures at the local level, successfully enforce compliance, and leverage centralized control and resources to ensure outbreak containment and rapid reaction.
What are the weaknesses of this policy?	Disparities in vaccination rates and public compliance, as well as occasional political and popular opposition to public health policies, are all factors.	Concerns have been raised concerning human rights breaches as a result of rigorous enforcement, probable underreporting of cases, and a lack of transparency in sharing data and information about outbreaks.
Explain how the social determinants of health may impact the specified global health issue. (Be specific and provide examples)	Social determinants of health have a substantial impact on the global health issue of COVID-19 in the United States. Disparities in infection rates and outcomes have been caused by socioeconomic factors such as income and access to healthcare. Individuals with fewer resources and restricted access to adequate healthcare facilities, for example, may face delays in testing and treatment, leading to poorer outcomes.	Social determinants of health also have an important role in shaping the impact of COVID-19 in China. Factors such as urban-rural gaps can result in disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. Individuals in less-developed rural areas, for example, may have difficulty receiving testing and treatment, but those in densely populated metropolitan areas may be at a higher risk of infection due to congested living conditions, impacting the virus’s transmission. Furthermore, income gaps and education levels can influence people’s capacity to follow stringent containment measures, exacerbating the virus’s impact.
How has each country’s government addressed cost, quality, and access to the selected global health issue?	The government of the United States has addressed the cost, quality, and access to COVID-19 prevention and treatment services by providing free testing and vaccination to ensure access, implementing various stimulus packages to address financial hardships, and collaborating with pharmaceutical companies to ensure a timely vaccine supply.	In China, the government has taken a centralized approach to COVID-19 management, ensuring that its population has access to testing, treatment, and vaccine (Wang et al., 2022). Because of the government’s tight supervision, strong containment measures have been implemented, providing high-quality care and access.
How has the identified health policy impacted the health of the global population? (Be specific and provide examples)	The United States’ vaccination efforts, research contributions, and global aid have positively impacted the global population by helping to develop vaccines, sharing scientific knowledge, and providing financial aid to low and middle-income countries to procure vaccines.	In China, the strict containment measures have also affected the global population by helping to reduce the global spread of the virus, as early actions taken in China played a crucial role in containing the initial outbreak.