Axios Vitals: Persistent Decline in American Health
Despite high healthcare spending, the U.S. continues to lag behind other developed nations, with rising rates of chronic diseases and declining overall health outcomes.
Published on April 14, 2025
A recent Axios article from December 1 highlights a persistent decline in America's health outcomes compared to other developed nations. Despite the U.S. leading in healthcare spending, the nation continues to struggle with worsening chronic conditions—including chronic kidney disease, Alzheimer’s, and drug-use disorders—which are projected to rise over the coming years.
Further analysis shows that entrenched inequities and systemic inefficiencies in public health policies have compounded these issues. Additional reports from sources like The Atlantic and Time underscore longstanding challenges in the U.S. healthcare system, pointing to policy reversals and funding cuts that have only deepened the gap between expenditure and effective health outcomes.