2022 IB Diploma Extended Essays

Figure 6

Similar to the diagram of the Swiss market for mammograms, figure 6 depicts the market for

mammograms in the United Kingdom. Without the cessation of non-essential mammograms,

the price of mammograms sits at P e whilst supply and demand meet at Q e – creating the

equilibrium point A. However, because the government has prioritised the pandemic over

other illnesses, the resources of hospitals were directed to the treatment and management of

SARS-CoV-2 patients, causing a significant decrease in the supply of mammograms within

this economy as demonstrated by the leftward shift from S1 to S2, ceteris paribus.

This creates a new equilibrium of B, highlighting the change from Pe to P1 and Qe to Q1.

Theoretically, the price of mammograms should increase, but the NHS ensures free health

care for all citizens, which includes biannual mammograms. However, the consumer burden

will increase due to the reallocation of resources towards the management of SARS-CoV-2,

meaning citizens of the UK will ultimately fund the mammograms through taxes (Jocelyn

Blink, 2020). These taxes allow the Government to continue funding the NHS which is likely

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