My mom's side of the family is British and completely resides in England. This has allowed me to periodically visit England every 4-5 years to catch up with family and indulge in much missed time with my family. Now, being older and gaining a global perspective, my experiences in England grant me opportunities to compare the American and British healthcare systems, agriculture methods, national food and safety standards, and societal values.
Healthcare
One of the most stark differences between the United States and England is their respective healthcare systems and ideologies towards equitable and affordable health services. England's world-renown, publicly funded National Health Service (NHS) presents the complete opposite of the U.S.'s mixture of private, public, for-profit, and nonprofit insurer system. Conversing with my family members and hearing their personal experiences with the NHS demonstrated many pros and cons of this healthcare system, overall educating me on the importance of public perspective on the support of a health service. England's majority appreciation and historical respect for the NHS is a robust pillar for the continuation of this public service, regardless of its cons such as longer wait times. England aligns itself with many international goals of "healthcare for all" that can be a model for other nations.
Food and Safety Standards
In comparison to the United States's Food and Drug Administration's standards for products, England's Food Standards Agency is stricter on approved ingredients, nutritional standards, and general food safety. For example, when visiting a grocery store, it's common to see many brands present in American stores, such as Doritos. However, when comparing the ingredients, it's evident that numerous chemicals are banned in British Doritos that are allowed in the American version. Many brands or food products are also completely outlawed in England but are present in America. This includes Cheetos Crunchy, Fritos, and Cliff bars, which are American snacks found in almost every grocery store. I've come to realize that England, much like the rest of Europe, has stricter but also safer national standards for products within their country. This may allude to possible health differences between America and England due to healthier ingredients and a more balanced diet.
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