BACKGROUND TO THIS ASSESSMENT

Health Leaders are often interested to see how our national experiences of health and health care compare on an international scale. These comparisons create a broader perspective for researchers, policymakers and the general public.  Being aware of the successes and setbacks of other countries may inform how new policies, health interventions or preventative measures are developed and implemented in ones own country. International health comparisons can help making valid comparisons of health across different countries however it is important that comparison is possible.

The paper you produce for this assignment will require careful consideration and use of international comparisons. If the data and methods that underlie these correlations have significant gaps (as in years of non-collection), there could be invalidity of the results. There are methodological issues to consider in assessing data availability and quality, and in deciding which countries to compare.

You should ensure that there is clear documentation of any decisions about the data used and the countries selected should provide adequate rationale providing the limitations and assumptions are clear and duly considered. These decisions can influence the differences observed between countries and the conclusions reached.  The following check-list will assist the preparation of the required evidence to undertake this comparison.

(FULL INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDELINES ARE IN THE POWERPOINT ATTACHED BELOW).