Popis: |
This chapter outlines some of the practice and assesses the status of medical tourism in the Americas. A selection of countries as case studies is all that is possible in relation to this huge origin and destination market, but the chapter covers the main issues and trends. Perhaps the best place to begin is with the USA, given that it can be characterized as the country that, through its selective and highly expensive approach to medicine, and its relatively unhealthy though rich population, has probably contributed most in recent years to the rise of international travel for medical reasons. But first, some general observations and statistics relating to the region as a whole are discussed. |