The United Kingdom ranks the highest for end of life care out of every country, according to a study by the Global Health Institute.
The United States ranks #43 out of the 81 countries studied. As you would expect, people in America often don’t receive the end of life medical care they need because of financial or logistical constraints. But the opposite also happens. People receive too much care that is too invasive and too painful, which has a big impact on their death. Either or both can be possible depending on each individual’s situation.
It is possible in the U.S. to reject invasive treatments like having an oxygen tube pushed down the patient’s throat, CPR that has a risk of giving the patient cracked ribs, invasive surgeries, and other painful end of life care. However, the only way to be 100% sure you will not be given these treatments is through Advance Directives, something our organization and other chapters have made our audiences aware of, but that much of the general public still is not aware of. You can click here to learn more about Advance Directives.
The UK, and the other countries at the top of the list have found the perfect balance between giving people the care they want while allowing people to reject care that they do not want. They allow everyone to access the best quality of care, while making it simpler to create advance directives.
While the US law on advance directive varies by state, the UK has consistent rules across the entire territory, making it a streamlined process. UK lawyers charge significantly less money than US ones, though DIY tools can help alleviate this in the US. Finally, the language used in the UK is often far more specific than the US, meaning it can be interpreted more loosely by medical staff or courts.
Top 10 Countries/Regions for End of Life Care Worldwide According to Global Health Institute
| Country/Region | Rank | Percentage Score |
| Lithuania | #10 | 88.2% |
| Hong Kong | #9 | 88.4% |
| Panama | #8 | 88.8% |
| North Macedonia | #7 | 89% |
| Australia | #4 | 90.9% |
| South Korea | #4 | 90.9% |
| Costa Rica | #4 | 90.9% |
| Taiwan | #3 | 92.8% |
| Ireland | #2 | 92.9% |
| United Kingdom | #1 | 93.1% |
End of Life Best Countries FAQ
Note: Some of the information in this FAQ may be identical to what’s in the article in order to help search engines find our page and recommend us to people looking for resources.Which country has the best outcomes for End of Life Care?
The United Kingdom ranks the highest for end of life care out of every country, according to a study by the Global Health Institute.How do I prevent doctors from giving me invasive or painful treatments?
The only way to be 100% sure you will not be given these treatments is through setting up Advance Directives. Advance Directives can either be set up through DIY methods or through an estate lawyer. Read more here: https://www.fcaprinceton.org/advance-directives/Where does the US rank for end of life care compared to other countries?
The US ranks in the middle compared to other countries, according to a study by the Global Health Institute. While the quality of care is high, the access to treatment is low and advance directives are more complex to setup.Which country has the worst end of life care?
Ranking dead last is Paraguay, according to a study by the Global Health Institute.What factors contribute to a great end of life care system?
The biggest factors are access to care, ability to refuse care, and quality of care.Sources:
https://globalhealth.duke.edu/news/where-best-place-die https://www.fcaprinceton.org/advance-directives/ https://www.bmj.com/rapid-response/2011/10/27/differences-between-advance-directives-united-kingdom-and-united-states?__cf_chl_f_tk=AEog0v2ya0RUf_kCILxawSZM2NqKrBGoyYIGo3vmoE4-1783095208-1.0.1.1-pi2ea9xDF9EPMuqS_FTeeKid5cQwTf1h2lf8cY1GWlA https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/coping/dying-with-cancer/making-plans/decisions-about-end-of-life-care
