The United States spends more on health than other nations — almost $2.5 trillion in 2009 — and yet scores lower than other wealthy nations on life expectancy, infant mortality, and other indicators of population health, the report says. The IOM recommends setting new targets to engage medical care and public health professionals in a shared effort to maximize the value of the dollars that the nation invests in its health system. New targets also will ensure that public health skills and knowledge are applied to medical care issues relevant to population health, such as the frequent overuse and misuse of medical procedures.
Other recommendations in the IOM report include a council to oversee the development of a minimum package of public health services and an expert panel convened by the council to determine how much money is needed to provide at least these services.
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