A newly updated issue brief examines the factors influencing health expenditures in the U.S. and highlights key distinctions between the U.S. and other affluent, large nations. The study reveals that individuals in the U.S. spent an additional $5,683 per person on healthcare compared to their counterparts in similarly sized and wealthier countries. Nearly 80% of this spending disparity can be attributed to costs associated with inpatient and outpatient care. Additionally, many retail prescription medications are priced higher in the U.S. In 2021, the U.S. allocated $1,635 per capita on prescription drugs, including over-the-counter medications, while comparable countries averaged $944.

The full analysis is accessible through the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker, a comprehensive online resource aimed at monitoring and evaluating the U.S. health system’s performance.