Discussing the Sustainability of Health Systems in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparison Between Germany, France, Italy, and Türkiye

Purpose: The purpose chapter emphasizes the need to explore the relationship among health, well-being, and the impact of COVID-19 on different countries. It highlights the inadequacy of GDP as a sole indicator and introduces the Human Development Index (HDI) and Gross National Happiness Index (GNH) for a comprehensive understanding. Need for the study: This chapter underscores the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on global well-being. It delves into the disparities in death rates, hospital capacity, and health services, posing essential questions about the perception and approach towards health. Methodology: The study focuses on comparing the health financing systems of Germany, Italy, France, and Türkiye, comparing facts like GDP, GINI Index, happiness scores, and COVID-19 death data. A brief history of each country's healthcare system is presented, highlighting key developments and structural elements. Findings: Findings reveal differences in health financing systems, GDP, happiness scores, and COVID-19 death tolls among the selected countries. Notably, Türkiye, with lower GDP and happiness scores, shows a lower COVID-19 death toll compared to Germany. This prompts further exploration into the correlation between health system structures and pandemic outcomes. Practical implications: National governments in ensuring universal health coverage (UHC) and addresses the challenges of profit-centered healthcare systems. It advocates for a trustworthy, transparent, and state-supported health system to enhance overall well-being. © 2025 Swati Gupta, Sanjay Taneja, Ercan Özen, Kiran Sood, and Simon Grima. All rights reserved.