<p>Predictors of (in)efficiencies of Healthcare Expenditure Among the Leading Asian Economies – Comparison of OECD and Non-OECD Nations</p>

Abstract

The goal of this study was to assess the effectiveness of healthcare spending among the leading Asian economies. Methods: We have selected a total of nine Asian nations, based on the strength of their economic output and long-term real GDP growth rates. The OECD members included Japan and the Republic of Korea, while the seven non-OECD nations were China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Thailand. Healthcare systems efficiency was analyzed over the period 1996-2017. To assess the effectiveness of healthcare expenditure of each group of countries, the two-way fixed effects model (country-and year effects) was used. Results: Quality of governance and current health expenditure determine healthcare system performance. Population density and urbanization are positively associated with a healthy life expectancy in the non-OECD Asian countries. In this group, unsafe water drinking has a statistically negative effect on healthy life expectancy. Interestingly, only per capita consumption of carbohydrates is significantly linked with healthy life expectancy. In these non-OECD Asian countries, unsafe water drinking and per capita carbon dioxide emissions increase infant mortality. There is a strong negative association between GDP per capita and infant mortality in both sub-samples, although its impact is far larger in the OECD group. In Japan and South Korea, unemployment is negatively associated with infant mortality. Conclusion: Japan outperforms other countries from the sample in major healthcare performance indicators, while South Korea is ranked second. The only exception is per capita carbon dioxide emissions, which have maximal values in the Republic of Korea and Japan. Non-OECD nations' outcomes were led by China, as the largest economy. This group was characterized with substantial improvement in efficiency of health spending since the middle of the 1990s. Yet, progress was noted with remarkable heterogeneity within the group.

Universally Available Innate and Adaptive Immune Cell Counts in Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS) in the Context of Shared Pathobiology with COVID-19; Scoping Review

“…On November 12 th , 2020, the World Health Assembly (WHA), the global decision-making body of the World Health Organisation (WHO), went on to pass the landmark resolution WHA73.10 for 'global actions on epilepsy and other neurological disorders 'with 13 new paragraphs on key aspects of global brain health as a matter of high priority (1). The resolution confirmed the enormous impact of stroke-related death and disability (2) This was noted to be the main reason behind 80% death(3) and disability(4) in low to middle-income countries worldwide (5,6).…”

The Elderly and the COVID 19 Crisis: A Chronicle of Deaths Foretold, in Isolation and Total Indifference

“…A recent Japanese study gave evidence of the deleterious effect of COVID-19 in older adults ( 11 ). Japanese society is considered to be more protective for older adults that many Western countries as shown by the higher life expectancy of Japanese elderly that can be explained by socio-cultural differences (e.g., family care, nutrition) and health system organization ( 12 ). Yamada et al investigated changes in physical activity of 1,600 older adults living in community-dwelling before the COVID-19 pandemic (January 2020) and during the public health crisis (April 2020) ( 11 ).…”

Scoping Review of Existing Stroke Guidelines; Argument for a Value-Added Change<strong> </strong>

“…to good clinical outcomes (84). Commensurate rehabilitation initiated within the first seven days of stroke has been shown to initiate complex neurobiological processes which is instrumental in early neurologic recovery as evidenced in various clinical trials (85,86).…”

“…On the other hand, thrombolysis of patients with unclear onset of symptoms but with eligibility according the neuroimaging parameters of the WAKE-UP trial have also made the Australian and the AHA stroke guidelines recommend in favour of the later (75).It is also interesting to note that of the guidelines reviewed, only three had explicitly stated recommendations on the management of thrombolysis-related complications such as bleeding and angioedema. More so, of the Asian countries included, only Japan had clear statements with this regard(76). It is equally important to address these limitations especially in resourcelimited regions such as Asia and South America, where there is also a scarcity of stroke intensive care units(77,78).…”