The United States health care system is the priciest in the world. A recent report indicates that despite being at the top in terms of price, in terms of quality, the U.S. consistently underperforms in comparison to other countries.

A total of 11 nations were included in the report — Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the U.S. Of all the nations, the U.S. ranks last, consistent with the 2010, 2007, 2006, and 2004 editions of The Commonwealth Fund’s report.

In addition to its low ranking, the U.S. does not achieve more outstanding health outcomes in comparison to other countries. As indicated in earlier editions, the U.S. falls to last place, or close to it, in regards to access, efficiency, and equity. According to the 2014 edition of the report, the United Kingdom comes in first place, with Switzerland close behind.

The 2014 edition includes data from 11 countries, an increase from the seven countries included in the 2010 edition. The data includes survey results from patients and physicians regarding care experiences, as well as ratings regarding different dimensions of care. There is information from the latest three Commonwealth Fund international surveys, from patients and primary care physicians, based on medical practices and views of the country’s health systems from 2011 to 2013. This latest edition also incorporates information on healthcare outcomes featured in The Commonwealth Fund’s 2011 national health system scorecard, its most recent, as well as from the World Health Organization and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Credit: The Commonwealth Fund