Japanese Healthcare System
Makeba A. Smith
Rasmussen College
Author Note This research is being submitted on June 11, 2011 for Laura Sheneman’s H200/HSA2117 Section 03 US Healthcare Systems course.
Japanese Healthcare System Japanese people enjoy longer, healthier lives at low costs. They have well balanced diets and low infant mortality rates. Unlike the United States, Japan has universal healthcare coverage consisting of three categories of insurance. Those insurances are employer based insurance, national insurance, and insurance for the elderly. These programs are financed mainly by the government and private employers. Whereas, in the United States, health insurance coverage is financed mainly by the private sector. This research will focus on the lifestyles and healthcare coverage of the Japanese society. Japan is extremely overpopulated with approximately 127 million people (“International Health Systems Japan,” 2010). Even with such a dense population, the people of Japan still have a well balanced nutrition. The Japanese’ practice of eating foods with low levels of fats and protein along with lower levels of salt contributes to their long lives. Decreasing the amounts of salt in their diets also reduces the chances of getting hypertension and diabetes (Saigusa, 2006).
Infant mortality rates in Japan have decreased to one of the world’s lowest levels (Saigusa, 2006). According to Saigusa (2006), this is because births usually occur to women between the ages of 25-29 and 99.7 percent of births are attended by qualified professionals. In addition, abortion is only made available when contraceptives fail (Saigusa, 2006). The citizens of Japan are also highly literate. As a result they seek medical advice early on in their pregnancies (“International Health Systems Japan,” 2010). Japan also provides systems of community support and education from time of conception. The availability of vaccination
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