Examine a global health issue and consider the approach to this issue by the United States and by one other country.

COVID-19 is a global pandemic which has affected millions worldwide. Examine the way in which New Zealand and the United States approach this issue.

In the beginning, it was difficult for the United States to react to COVID-19 because of a lack coordinated federal leadership. This coupled with a fragmented system in healthcare made responding to this pandemic difficult. Some states and localities implemented mask mandates or lockdowns while others didn’t, leading to an uneven response across the nation. Also, the vaccine rollout was uneven. Some states made rapid progress while other fell behind.

In contrast, New Zealand’s approach to the COVID-19 pandemic has been widely praised for its effectiveness. During the early stages of the pandemic New Zealand implemented a tight lockdown that effectively stopped the spread of the virus in communities. New Zealand, since then has adopted a strict lockdown and aggressive isolation strategy in an effort to stop outbreaks. Over 90% of New Zealanders eligible for vaccination received at least one dose.

The level of centralization of their respective healthcare systems is a key distinction between New Zealand and the United States. United States healthcare is decentralized, and each state or local government has to implement public health measures. New Zealand’s centralized system has made it possible for the government of New Zealand to respond to the pandemic in a coordinated manner.

Overall, while both the United States and New Zealand have faced significant challenges in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, New Zealand’s centralized approach has allowed for a more coordinated and effective response.