U.S. vs. Canada Health Care System Comparison: Comparison Chart, Reflection and Infographic (2026 Data)

BHSA 409 Midterm Project: International Health Policy Comparison

The purpose of this project is to compare and contrast the U.S. healthcare system with a select international healthcare system. As outlined in Chapter 4 of the textbook, healthcare systems around the world differ in how they are organized, financed, and delivered, yet they all face common challenges such as rising costs, access to care, and improving health outcomes. Studying international systems alongside the U.S. model will help you better understand the strengths and weaknesses of each approach. This project will give you the opportunity to research up-to-date data, practice comparing key indicators, and present your findings in both written and visual formats.

Directions: This project has three parts. Complete each part carefully, following the guidance provided. Be sure to cite your sources in APA format throughout your work. Begin by collecting and organizing key data points for both healthcare systems.

Part 1: Comparison Chart. Select one country to compare with the United States (instructor approval required). Use the most recent data available, not textbook data. If exact data points are unavailable, use the closest comparable measure and note this. Provide brief, complete responses. Include data on: organization and administration of the system (how it is organized and who administers it); population statistics; key economic indicators (GDP per capita in PPP, healthcare spending per capita in PPP, percent of GDP spent on healthcare); health outcomes (life expectancy for males/females, maternal mortality rate, infant mortality rate); system capacity (hospital beds per 1,000 people); and major health issues specific to each country.

Part 2: Reflection. Write 1–2 paragraphs summarizing the main similarities or differences, explaining what the data suggest about the healthcare systems, access, and outcomes, and what surprised you or challenged your assumptions.

Part 3: Infographic. Highlight key findings rather than repeat all the data. Include at least one chart or graph, at least one visual/graphic element, and clear labeling of both countries.

References: At least three credible, scholarly, and/or peer-reviewed sources, with APA 7th edition in-text citations in the chart and infographic and a complete reference list. Submit the chart and reflection as one document and the infographic as a separate file.

Original example for study purposes. Your reflection should describe your own reactions to the data.

The most striking difference between the two systems is the relationship between spending and outcomes. The United States spends about twice as much per person as Canada, $14,885 compared with $7,301 in purchasing power terms (OECD, 2025), and devotes about 18% of its economy to health care compared with about 13% in Canada (CMS, 2025; CIHI, 2025). Yet Canadians live about three years longer, and Canada has lower infant and maternal mortality (Statistics Canada, 2026; Xu et al., 2026; World Bank, 2026). Both countries have a similar number of hospital beds per person and face the same pressures of aging and chronic disease, which suggests that the gap in outcomes is not mainly about hospital capacity. Instead, the data point to differences in how care is financed and accessed. Canada’s single-payer model guarantees coverage for hospital and physician care, while the U.S. multi-payer model leaves about 8% of people uninsured and many others underinsured, and carries high administrative costs (Blumenthal et al., 2024; Martin et al., 2018). Factors outside the health system, such as drug overdoses, gun violence and income inequality, also contribute to lower U.S. life expectancy.

What challenged my assumptions was that neither system is clearly better on every measure. I expected Canada’s universal system to provide easy access, but Canadians face long waits: a median of more than six months from a family doctor’s referral to treatment (Moir & Esmail, 2025), and about half report either having no family doctor or having difficulty seeing the one they have (Angus Reid Institute, 2026). The U.S. offers faster access to specialists and advanced technology for people with good insurance, but cost is the main barrier for others. In short, the U.S. rations care largely by ability to pay, while Canada rations care largely by waiting. I was also surprised that U.S. life expectancy reached a record high in 2024 yet still trails Canada by more than three years. The comparison shows that spending more does not guarantee better population health and that both countries could learn from each other: the U.S. from Canada’s universal coverage and cost control, and Canada from the U.S. emphasis on timely specialty care.