Full Answer Section

Cost per Person (Direct Medical Costs and Out-of-Pocket Expenses):

• United States: The cost per person for treating infectious diseases in the US is considerably higher. This is due to several factors:
  • Higher Service Prices: US hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and medical professionals generally charge significantly more for services, drugs, and procedures compared to the UK.
  • Fragmented Insurance System: Patients often face high deductibles, co-pays, and out-of-pocket maximums. Even with insurance, a severe infectious disease requiring hospitalization (e.g., sepsis, complex pneumonia) can lead to tens of thousands of dollars in personal costs. For the uninsured, these costs can be catastrophic, leading to medical debt and delayed care.
  • Focus on Treatment over Prevention: While the US does invest in prevention, the system often incentivizes high-cost interventions once a person is already sick.
  • High Administrative Costs: The complex billing and insurance negotiation processes in the US add substantial administrative overhead, indirectly increasing costs per person.
  • Drug Prices: Prescription drug costs are notably higher in the US due to less price regulation compared to the UK.
• United Kingdom: In the UK, through the NHS, healthcare is largely free at the point of use.
  • Universal Coverage: This means direct medical costs for infectious disease treatment (hospital stays, physician consultations, diagnostics, and medications) are covered by general taxation.
  • Lower Service Prices: The government, as the primary payer, has significant bargaining power with pharmaceutical companies and healthcare providers, leading to lower prices for drugs and services.