A nation’s public health infrastructure serves as a pillar for the welfare and security of its population. From responding to infectious diseases and monitoring environmental health threats to addressing chronic illness and promoting general wellness, the public health system can be an important indicator of the well-being and quality of life within a nation. [US News] 

Having a well-developed public health system is one of nine attributes used to develop a quality of life subranking that factors into the 2023 Best Countries rankings from U.S. News. The overall Best Countries analysis is based on a survey of more than 17,000 global citizens, and assessed perceptions of 87 countries using 73 different attributes. Survey respondents answered whether they associated various countries with the phrase "well-developed public health system,” and such perceptions also helped develop rankings of the best countries for a comfortable retirement and the best countries for raising kids.

Countries perceived by respondents as having comprehensive public health systems tend to have attributes in common such as universal health care, longer life expectancy and substantial social spending.

###