Exhibit 1
More Older Adults in U.S. Have Multiple Chronic
Conditions
Percent*
3+ Chronic conditions
2 Chronic conditions
1 Chronic condition
20
28
27
38
32
28
32
24
28
32
25
31
33
34
22
24
26
26
42
22
28
AUS
CAN
15
FR
25
20
20
18
19
GER
NETH
NOR
SWE
SWIZ
* Reported having hypertension or high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, lung problems,
mental health problems, cancer, and/or joint pain/arthritis.
Source: 2014 Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy Survey of Older Adults.
US
Exhibit 2
Varying Rates of Functional Limitations in Older Adults
Among Nine Countries
Somewhat/Severely limited
Percent*
Not limited at all
50
66
86
82
75
79
80
77
24
20
19
23
NETH
NOR
SWE
SWIZ
85
50
34
14
18
AUS
CAN
FR
GER
14
US
* Reported being “somewhat or severely limited” in the activities people usually do, such as feeding oneself, getting in and out of bed or a chair,
dressing and undressing, or bathing.
Source: 2014 Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy Survey of Older Adults.
Exhibit 3
More High-Need Adults Have Avoidable Emergency
Department Visits
Went to the ED for a condition that could have been treated
by regular doctor or place of care if available (percent):
High-need adults
Other older adults
19*
19*
12
11
6*
5
AUS
CAN
12*
9
2
FR
4
3
GER
5
NETH
7
9
5
NOR
SWE
Base: Had regular doctor/place of care.
Notes: High-need adults—Adults age 65 and older with 3+ chronic conditions or a functional limitation;
Other older adults—All other adults age 65 and older.
* p < 0.05, denotes significant differences between high-need adults and other older adults within country.
Source: 2014 Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy Survey of Older Adults.
11*
6
SWIZ
9
US
Exhibit 4
Cost-Related Access Problems More Prevalent Among
High-Need Adults
Had any cost-related access problema in the past year (percent):
High-need adults
Other older adults
22*
19*
16
13*
11*
7
3
AUS
a Had
CAN
4*
2
FR
10*
9*
4
3
GER
NETH
4
4
NOR
5
3
SWE
5
SWIZ
US
a medical problem but did not visit doctor, skipped medical test or treatment recommended by doctor, and/or did not fill prescription
or skipped doses because of the cost.
Notes: High-need adults—Adults age 65 and older with 3+ chronic conditions or a functional limitation;
Other older adults—All other adults age 65 and older.
* p < 0.05, denotes significant differences between high-need adults and other older adults within country.
Source: 2014 Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy Survey of Older Adults.
Exhibit 5
High-Need Patients Experience Poorly Coordinated Care
Had any coordination problema in the past two years (percent):
High-need adults
Other older adults
48*
48*
44*
39*
36
32*
31
28
34*
33*
27
24
8
AUS
a
20
18
17
CAN
27
6
FR
GER
NETH
NOR
SWE
SWIZ
Test results/records not available at appointment or duplicate tests ordered; received conflicting information from different doctors;
and/or specialist lacked medical history or regular doctor was not informed about specialist care.
Notes: High-need adults—Adults age 65 and older with 3+ chronic conditions or a functional limitation;
Other older adults—All other adults age 65 and older.
* p < 0.05, denotes significant differences between high-need adults and other older adults within country.
Source: 2014 Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy Survey of Older Adults.
US
Exhibit 6
High-Need Patients Less Confident in Their Medical Care
Thought a medical mistakea was made in their treatment or care in the past two years
(percent):
High-need adults
Other older adults
19*
13*
11*
5
AUS
a
6
CAN
3
6
7
7
1
FR
13*
11*
10
GER
NETH
17*
8
4
NOR
4
SWE
This could include being given the wrong medication or wrong result from a medical test.
Notes: High-need adults—Adults age 65 and older with 3+ chronic conditions or a functional limitation;
Other older adults—All other adults age 65 and older with at least one chronic condition.
* p < 0.05, denotes significant differences between high-need adults and other older adults within country.
Source: 2014 Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy Survey of Older Adults.
SWIZ
6
US
Exhibit 7
In the U.S., More High-Need Patients Report Contact
from Health Care Providers Between Visits
Percent
High-need adults
Other older adults
37*
34*
31*
29*
19
20*
22*
19*
12
18
12
CAN
FR
GER
15
11
8
AUS
23
22*
NETH
NOR
11
SWE
Notes: High-need adults—Adults age 65 and older with 3+ chronic conditions or a functional limitation;
Other older adults—All other adults age 65 and older with at least one chronic condition.
* p < 0.05, denotes significant differences between high-need adults and other older adults within country.
Source: 2014 Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy Survey of Older Adults.
8
SWIZ
US
Exhibit 8
High-Need Patients More Likely Than Other Older Adults
to Report Having a Treatment Plan to Carry Out in Daily
Life
High-need adults
Other older adults
Percent
87*
84
78
78 75
78
65
57
54 53
45
44
38
34
52
39
44
25
AUS
CAN
FR
GER
NETH
NOR
SWE
Notes: High-need adults—Adults age 65 and older with 3+ chronic conditions or a functional limitation;
Other older adults—All other adults age 65 and older with at least one chronic condition.
* p < 0.05, denotes significant differences between high-need adults and other older adults within country.
Source: 2014 Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy Survey of Older Adults.
SWIZ
US