“I purposely refer to a “health system” rather than a “health care system” because the solutions need to focus on the ultimate outcome of interest — that is, the population’s health and each individual’s health — and not only on the formal system of care designed primarily to treat illness.

A successful health system has three attributes: healthy people, meaning a population that attains the highest level of health possible; superior care, meaning care that is effective, safe, timely, patient-centered, equitable, and efficient2; and fairness, meaning that treatment is applied without discrimination or disparities to all individuals and families, regardless of age, group identity, or place, and that the system is fair to the health professionals, institutions, and businesses supporting and delivering care.

A sustainable health system also has three key attributes: affordability, for patients and families, employers, and the government (recognizing that employers and the government ultimately rely on individuals as consumers, employees, and taxpayers for their resources); acceptability to key constituents, including patients and health professionals; and adaptability, because health and health care needs are not static (i.e., a health system must respond adaptively to new diseases, changing demographics, scientific discoveries, and dynamic technologies in order to remain viable).”

The author of the assigned article, “Shattuck Lecture: A Successful and Sustainable Health System — How to Get There From Here” maintains that a sustainable health system has three key attributes. What are these three key attributes and what recommendations are offered to ensure efficiency, sustainability, and optimal functioning?