The study, published in Health Affairs, pointed the finger at the lack of health insurance -- as well as conditions such as hypertension and medical errors -- in the U.S. as part of the problem.
The Hill: Study: U.S. Tops France, Germany, UK In 'Potentially Preventable' Deaths
Americans younger than 65 are more likely to die from a lack of timely health care than their peers in France, Germany or the United Kingdom, according to a new study. Research published in Health Affairs looked at the rate of "potentially preventable" deaths -- deaths before age 75 that could be avoided with timely and effective health care -- and found that the United States lags behind its U.K. and European peers. The United States was also less effective than France, Germany and the United Kingdom in remedying the problem between 1999 and 2007, study authors wrote (Viebeck, 8/29).
WBUR: Report: U.S. Lags When It Comes To Preventable Deaths
More bad news for the U.S. health care system. According to a new report by the Commonwealth Fund, America is worst among three other industrialized nations when it comes to preventing avoidable deaths through timely, effective medical care. The problem, once again, is the lack of health insurance, the report suggests. (Things were worse for folks under 65; presumably those over that age qualify for Medicare.) (Zimmerman, 8/29).