Four weeks ago, we launched a new healthymagination data visualization project that examined how health affects work performance and vice-versa. GE’s interactive tool was powered by a survey of over 500 global corporate executives by The Economist Intelligence Unit – which is the business-to-business arm of The Economist Group, publisher of The Economist magazine. Now the survey results have been fused with new research and analysis, interviews, case studies, videos and volumes of data pulled from international sources such as the World Health Organization, the World Bank, the United Nations and the OECD to produce our comprehensive new “Health of Nations” online tool. The goal of the wide-ranging investigation and data index is to help assess how countries are positioned to meet the critical healthcare challenges facing them in the years ahead.
 Global check-up: The Health of Nations Index extends to 50 countries and the assessments are based on each nation’s performance in 21 core indicators. Interactive maps and menus allow site visitors to compare specific countries or specific metrics, such as the percentage of children with the measles vaccine in a particular country, or the number of hospital beds per capita. |
In the index, a site visitor clicking the “Strength in Numbers” tab, as shown above, would see how health care inputs, such as numbers of doctors and hospitals, correlate to actual patient outcomes. For example, the data found that Russia ranks alongside Norway, Japan, the Netherlands and other rich-world countries as “well above average” when it comes to inputs. But when measuring healthcare outcomes, Russia falls into the “well below average” category. Likewise, the U.S. spends well above the OECD average on healthcare, but receives only an “average” healthcare outcomes rating in the index. It’s hoped that analyzing data in new ways will highlight those types of disconnects — and ultimately lead to solutions.
In fact, as seen in the U.S. and Russian examples, one of the key findings in the index is that when it comes to healthcare, it’s not what you spend, it’s how you spend it. The overall results of the investigation show a low correlation between the total amount of healthcare inputs (number of doctors, hospital beds, vaccinations, and the like) that a country buys, and the corresponding outcomes (adult mortality rates, prevalence of cancer, and so on) that it gets back in return.
Another finding in the research is that organizations that take better care of their workers tend to outperform the market. For example, The Economist Intelligence Unit’s global survey of 554 executives indicates that those firms that do provide additional health benefits and incentives also tend to perform “significantly better” than other companies in their sector.
The “Health of Nations” index and it’s precursor, the “Fit to Perform” data visualization tool, are part of the healthymagination team’s ongoing effort to turn oceans of health data into usable information that can actually impact people’s lives. This newest project is centered on the fact that healthcare systems around the world are, and will face, profound challenges. For example, changing disease patterns, demographic shifts and tough economic conditions are just some of the forces combining to drive change in healthcare provision in many countries.
 Does in equal out? Health challenges can differ from country to country due to factors such as differing levels of economic development, climate, or culture. For this reason, the Index is divided into three separate components. Healthcare Inputs measure indicators such as a population’s access to hospitals, doctors and key types of preventive medicine. The Healthcare Outcomes Index looks at mortality rates, the prevalence of diseases and nutritional health. And the Risk Index is based on the recognition that future demands on healthcare systems are also influenced by exogenous factors, such as smoking, access to clean water and air, and obesity levels. |
* Watch seven videos on the site about real world healthcare challenges and solutions
* See the full findings at http://www.healthofnations.com/
* Read “Visualizing health with The Economist Intelligence Unit” on GE Reports
* Learn more about the philosophy behind data visualization with Ben Fry
* Read more healthymagination stories on GE Reports