An Assessment of OECD Health Care System Using Panel Data Analysis

The health care delivery system of twenty five OECD nations is analyzed in this paper. This study seeks to assess the significance of various factors contributing to life expectancy and infant mortality for the 1990-2002 period. A fixed-effects panel data model was used to examine the factors influencing life expectancy and infant mortality. More specifically the impact of economic, institutional, and social factors in determining the dependent variables are measured and evaluated.Analysis of health care, Quality of life, OECD

Obama Health Care Reform Proposal From An International Perspective

This paper discusses the importance of reforming the health care system in the United States. In doing so, a sample of industrialized countries that have had an established universal health care plan is analyzed. Furthermore, the proposed reform plan by President Obama is discussed.  The future prospects of the proposed reform plan by President Obama is explained in the concluding remarks

Changing The Landscape Of The Retail Industry In The United States And Wal-Mart Phenomenon: A Brief Review

This paper provides a quick review of the significant changes that have occurred in the retail industry in the United States. Of particular concern, are the more recent developments that occurred due to technological advances, i.e. E-commerce, and rapid growth in Wal-Mart’s operations.  It is noted that the industry has transitioned from a more competitive environment to an oligopolistic structure in which a few large firms dominate their respective market. The role of Wal-Mart is evaluated and its impact on the economy, in general, and in the retail industry, in particular, is elaborated upon

Can Increased Trade Prevent Conflict With China?

China is a salient subject in U.S. trade policy debates as a result of its growing world influence and national interests that sometimes conflict with those of the United States. Often the focus on a sustainable current account deficit and the impact of increased financial integration is overlooked in favor of more emotional issues such as Chinese labor conditions and the loss of U.S. manufacturing jobs. This paper explores the increasing current account deficit with China, its impact on the Dollar, and the effects of integration on economic growth

Health Care System Efficiency Analysis Of G12 Countries

Data Envelopment analysis of the health care delivery system of G12 nations is presented here.  Japan and Spain scored the highest and the US, the lowest level of relative efficiencies.  Health care outputs are life expectancy and infant mortality.  Inputs are per capita health care expenditure; population adjusted physicians, hospital beds, and MRI; and a proxy for the level of education.  DEA tests are applied for the 1991-1995 period using both CCR and BCC models.  The paper argues that the lack of universal health care coverage and a single payer system are among the problems that the United States needs to address in order to improve its health care delivery

Flu Vaccine Market In The United States: A Case Study

The recent experience in the United States with a shortage in available doses of flu vaccine demonstrates a heavy reliance on a limited number of suppliers for the flu vaccine.  The announcement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  of the Department of Health and Human Services (hereinafter “Centers for Disease Control”, or “CDC”) in early October of 2004 that the total amount of flu vaccine prepared by a leading manufacturer at a plant in England had become contaminated and would not be available for distribution in the United States during the 2004-2005 season created an immediate shortage and challenge for the United States Department of Health and Human Services and its Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Health and Human Services, 2004)(a).    Literally overnight, federal officials were faced with the prospect of having their anticipated supply of approximately 100 million vials of injectable flu vaccine reduced by 46 to 48 million vials, with insufficient time to produce more for the imminent flu season.  The reaction was reminiscent of the oil and gasoline shortages of the early 1970’s, where motorists waited in long lines for gasoline pumps during the oil crisis.  In 2004 reports surfaced of senior citizens waiting hours in long lines, often enduring poor conditions during such wait, in hopes of receiving one of the rare flu shots.   Several states filed lawsuits against a flu vaccine distributor, essentially charging the distributor with price gouging on vials of vaccine.  According to the allegations contained in these lawsuits, in some instances distributors increased prices for vials of vaccine to more than ten (10) times the market value prior to the announced shortage.  (Weissman, 2004)

Health Care Efficiency In Transition Economies: An Application Of Data Envelopment Analysis

Health care costs are a financial burden for developing and transition economies which have experienced a faster growing demand on their health care systems while aiming to improve efficiency. As costs become more complex, attention has shifted to the efficiency of an entire system. Through system-wide assessments, countries with higher health care efficiency can be identified. These systems can be replicated to allow provision of good care at lower costs. Data Envelopment Analysis is used to measure health care efficiencies and to discuss policy implications

An Assessment of OECD Health Care System Using Panel Data Analysis

The health care delivery system of twenty five OECD nations is analyzed in this paper. This study seeks to assess the significance of various factors contributing to life expectancy and infant mortality for the 1990-2002 period. A fixed-effects panel data model was used to examine the factors influencing life expectancy and infant mortality. More specifically the impact of economic, institutional, and social factors in determining the dependent variables are measured and evaluated

The Impact Of Technology In Teaching Freshman Economics: A Quantitative Approach

This paper uses a quantitative approach to determine the relationship, if any, among the use of information technology in a freshman economics lecture environment. Over a two-semester period, students in four sections of economics courses were used as treatment and control groups. These classes consisted of two sections each of microeconomics and macroeconomics. The content for each course was delivered using several examples of technology (treatment) and conventional methods (control). At the end of each class session, students were asked to complete a survey to measure their perceptions of the lecture. The survey measured their perceptions of retention, ability to understand the material, testing confidence and other components, which would increase/decrease the understanding of the material. After analyzing the survey data, there were clear relationships among the use of technology and understanding the lecture material. The results suggested that certain attributes of technology (color, character composition, graphing) provided a positive experience for the student. However, some components of technology methods showed little effect on the learning process. Specifically, students did not perceive the use of multimedia as having a significant effect on the retention or understanding process

Continuous Quality Improvement in Health Maintenance Organizations: An Application of the HEDIS Model

One aspect of the Clinton Healthcare Reform programme is to assist health maintenance organizations (HMOs) in collecting and analysing data for the purpose of continuous quality improvement. The HEDIS 2.0 quality performance measurement model is currently in use and endorsed by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). A process using HEDIS 2.0 by which an HMO can identify crucial problem areas and track the success of the solution process is outlined