United States of America - Health

The World Health Organization ranks the United States' health level 72nd among the world's nations. Infant mortality is 5 per 1,000; among developed nations, only Latvia ranks lower, at 6 per 1,000. However, this statistic is contested by some experts, because other nations may not define infant mortality as broadly as the United States. Obesity is also a public-health problem, which is estimated to cost tens of billions of dollars every year.

Unlike most Western governments, the U.S. government does not guarantee publicly funded health care to its citizens. Consequently, a high number of people lack proper healthcare. Private insurance plays a major role in covering health care costs. Health insurance in the United States is traditionally a benefit of employment. However, emergency care facilities are required to provide service regardless of the patient's ability to pay. Medical bills are overwhelmingly the most common reason for personal bankruptcy in the United States. The nation spends a substantial amount on medical research through such federal agencies as the National Institutes of Health.

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