Health Indicators in Germany

It is important to measure health status indicators so that we can understand the factors that influence health status the most, understand the indicators used to measure health status, and understand the key trends in health status that have occurred historically (Skolnik). 

Statistics

• Infant Mortality Rate: 2.1 infant deaths per 1,000 live births

• Life Expectancy at Birth: For both sexes combined is 81.9 years, for females is 84.1 years, and for males is 79.6 years.

• Maternal Mortality Ratio: 5-9 per 100,000 live births

• Neonatal Mortality Rate: For both sexes combined is 2.2 per 1,000 live births

• Under-five Mortality Rate: 2.6 per 1,000 live births

The leading cause of death in Germany is coronary heart disease at a rate of 73.48. 

Germany's health indicators compared to those of the United States:

- The maternal mortality rate in Germany is the same as it is in the United States, averaging about 8 per 100,000 live births.

- The child mortality rate in the United States is 86% more than Germany.

- The infant mortality rate in the United States is 82% more than Germany, with the U.S. having 6.9 deaths per 1,000 live births.

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What are some risk factors that potentially affect health in Germany?

- A few risk factors that affect health in Germany are the high overweight and obesity rates, high blood pressure, and poor nutrition. Smoking rates have decreased but it is still a risk factor. Also, the percentage of heavy drinking among adults is high and it remains above the EU average.

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Common Communicable Diseases:

• Lower respiratory infections are the only major

       communicable diseases in Germany

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There are many hospitals and clinics in Germany that offer high-end technology in an effort to combat cancer. One major challenge is the lack of specialists in certain areas of Germany, making it harder for people to see them. However, there are major Alzheimer's drugs and treatments that are made available in Germany. Overall, Germany has been taking steps to ensure that these common diseases decrease over time.

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References:

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Axtman, Brendin (7 Aug. 2017). Heart Disease Leads Common Diseases in Germany. Retrieved from https://borgenproject.org/common-diseases-in-germany/

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NationMaster (2020). Germany vs. United States Health Stats Compared. Retrieved from https:// www.nationmaster.com/country-info/compare/Germany/United-States/Health

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Skolnik, R. (2016). Global Health 101 (4th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Barnett Learning

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World Health Organization (2016). Germany Key Indicators. Retrieved from https://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.cco.ki-DEU?lang=en

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Worldometer (2020). Population of Germany. Retrieved from https://www.worldometers.info/demographics/germany-demographics/