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The Economist Intelligence Unit today
released a "Quality of Death" Index that ranks countries according to
their provision of end-of-life care. The first-ever global study,
commissioned by the Lien Foundation, a Singapore philanthropic house,
measures the current environment for end-of-life care services across 40
countries. The United States is tied for the ninth spot with Canada.
While "quality of life" is a common phrase, "quality of death" is
considered far less often. According to the Worldwide Palliative Care
Alliance (WPCA), while more than 100 million patients (and family
care-givers worldwide) need hospice care annually, fewer than eight (8)
percent actually receive it.
A key finding:In many
nations, standards of end-of-life care suffer from
inadequate policy, high costs, cultural barriers
and poor access to painkillers.
This report points out:At the top of the table is the UK, which has led the way globally in terms
of its hospice care network and statutory involvement in end-of-life care.
The US does not have an overall more favorable ranking principally because
of the financial burden of end-of-life care, which reflects the high
overall cost of US healthcare. The US ranks better in terms of
infrastructure - at positions seven and eight for Quality and Availability
of End-of-Life Care respectively. The index scores countries across four
categories: basic end-of-life healthcare environment; availability of
end-of-life care; cost of end-of-life care and quality of end-of-life
care.
The full white paper covers cultural issues in end-of-life care,
economics issues, and basic policy issues, as well as a basic
review of the law. Drug availability is seen as the most
important practical issue, and more hospice car may mean less
health spending. A 39 page PDF of the full white paper is available at:
http://www.lifebeforedeath.com/pdf/Quality_of_Death_Index_Report.pdf
To read the full article click on one of these links, both of which go to the same destination. A short link is provided for the convenience of readers. Also, readers may search and browse past and future advisories on the web (see bottom.)
"United States Tied for 9th Place in Economist Intelligence Unit's First Ever Global 'Quality of Death' Index". PR Newswire. Accessed: July 14, 2010. <www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/united-states-tied-for-9th-place-in-economist-intelligence-units-first-ever-global-quality-of-death-index-98412929.html>. PR Newswire, 350 Hudson Street, Suite 300, New York, NY 10014, U.S.A.
Tags (or keywords) briefly indicate some major topics of the report.
quality of death
pain relief
palliative care
hospice
The EuthaNEWSia ID for this advisory is: enid201007140411.
Mailed: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 14:59:53 -0600
at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
EuthaNEWSia is a free Canadian news advisory service covering end-of-life issues such as right to die, assisted suicide, and euthanasia. EuthaNEWSia is produced by the Right to Die Society of Canada which works toward a good death for all, including open, regulated and equitable access to euthanasia and assisted suicide. The editor is Michael Dawson <editor@euthanewsia.ca>.
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