Healthcare vs. Health Care: What’s the Difference?
You’ve probably seen both “healthcare” and “health care” used interchangeably in articles, job postings, and official documents. But here’s the thing—they’re not quite the same, and understanding the distinction matters more than you might think. Whether you’re exploring health information management salary opportunities or simply trying to communicate more precisely, knowing when to use each term can actually shape how you’re perceived professionally.
The difference between these two terms isn’t just about grammar pedantry. It reflects how language evolves, how industries communicate, and what nuances matter in different contexts. One is increasingly becoming the standard in modern usage, while the other remains deeply rooted in traditional healthcare documentation. Let’s dig into what separates them and why it actually matters for your career and understanding of the industry.
This distinction has practical implications too. If you’re pursuing health educator jobs or researching health science careers, you’ll encounter both terms regularly. Getting comfortable with the nuance will help you sound more informed when networking or interviewing.
The Basic Distinction: One Word vs. Two
Let’s start with the straightforward answer: “healthcare” is one word, while “health care” is two words. Sounds simple, right? But the choice between them isn’t arbitrary. Modern style guides, major publications, and official organizations are increasingly standardizing on “healthcare” as a single compound word.
The Associated Press Stylebook, which influences journalism and media worldwide, officially recognizes “healthcare” as the preferred form. However, the American Medical Association and some traditional healthcare institutions still prefer “health care” as two separate words. This inconsistency exists because language standards evolve gradually, and different sectors adopt changes at different rates.
Think of it like how “e-mail” eventually became “email,” or how “on-line” transformed into “online.” As compound words become more established in common usage, they transition from hyphenated or two-word forms into single, unified words. “Healthcare” is currently in that evolutionary stage where both forms are technically acceptable, but one is gaining dominance.
Historical Context and Evolution
Understanding why this distinction exists requires a bit of historical perspective. For decades, “health care” as two words was the standard terminology used in medical literature, policy documents, and official healthcare communications. The term reflected how the industry conceptualized the field—as a form of care related to health, rather than as a unified system or industry.
The shift toward “healthcare” as a single word accelerated in the 1990s and 2000s, particularly as the industry became more corporatized and professionalized. Business publications, tech companies entering the health sector, and modern digital platforms all favored the single-word version. It felt more contemporary, more like a unified industry descriptor rather than a descriptive phrase.
According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “healthcare” was added as a recognized entry reflecting its widespread adoption in contemporary usage. This lexical acknowledgment signals that the term has moved from colloquial to standard in modern English.
The evolution mirrors broader changes in how we talk about industries and systems. We say “technology” as one concept, not “tech nology.” Similarly, “healthcare” now represents the entire ecosystem of medical services, insurance, administration, and wellness—not just the act of providing care for health issues.
How Government and Organizations Use These Terms
Federal agencies show the inconsistency in current usage. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services officially uses both terms, though “health care” appears more frequently in their policy documents and legislation. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) similarly uses both interchangeably in their official materials.
However, newer government initiatives and digital platforms increasingly lean toward “healthcare.” The official website for federal health insurance uses “healthcare” in many places, reflecting a gradual institutional shift. State governments show similar patterns, with some standardizing on one form while others maintain both.
Private sector healthcare organizations display even more variation. Large hospital systems, insurance companies, and pharmaceutical firms often use “healthcare” in their marketing and modern communications, while their legal documents and older policies might still reference “health care.” This reflects practical considerations: newer documents adopt current standards, while older ones remain unchanged.
Professional organizations present an interesting case. The American Hospital Association uses “health care,” maintaining traditional terminology. Meanwhile, newer healthcare technology companies and startups almost exclusively use “healthcare.” This generational difference in word choice mirrors broader shifts in how different segments of the industry operate.
Industry Standards and Professional Usage
If you’re considering health administration jobs, you’ll notice job descriptions and professional materials often use “healthcare.” This single-word version has become the industry standard in contemporary business contexts, corporate communications, and modern healthcare institutions.
Medical journals present a fascinating case study. Older, more traditional journals like JAMA and The Lancet maintain “health care” as two words in their style guides, honoring decades of convention. Newer journals and digital-first publications more frequently adopt “healthcare.” This reflects how established institutions change more slowly than newer organizations.
The National Institutes of Health uses both terms throughout their publications, though “health care” appears more frequently in formal policy documents. This inconsistency is common across government health agencies, showing that standardization is still ongoing.
The World Health Organization (WHO) uses “health care” in most of its official publications and guidelines, maintaining the two-word format internationally. However, many countries’ national health systems increasingly use single-word versions in their native languages and English communications, suggesting a global trend toward consolidation.
In academic settings, your choice might depend on your institution’s style guide. Some universities adopt AP style (favoring “healthcare”), while medical schools might follow AMA guidelines (preferring “health care”). When in doubt, checking your organization’s specific style guide is always the safest approach.
When to Use Each Term
Here’s practical guidance for your writing: Use “healthcare” when referring to the industry, system, or field as a unified concept. Phrases like “the healthcare industry,” “healthcare reform,” “healthcare providers,” and “healthcare technology” all benefit from the single-word version. It emphasizes the cohesive nature of the system.
Use “health care” when describing the actual delivery of care or when using traditional, formal language, particularly in legal or medical documents. Phrases like “access to health care,” “quality of health care,” and “health care services” feel more appropriate in two words, emphasizing that you’re discussing care itself rather than the industry structure.
Consider your audience and context. Writing for a tech-forward healthcare startup? Use “healthcare.” Submitting to a traditional medical journal? Check their style guide, but “health care” is likely safer. Crafting a resume for positions in health information management? Scan the job posting and mirror their terminology.
In professional communication, consistency matters more than choosing the “correct” form. Pick one and stick with it throughout your document. If your organization uses “health care,” maintain that format even if “healthcare” feels more modern. Consistency signals attention to detail and respect for organizational standards.
The Global Perspective
British English traditionally preferred “health care” as two words, following the convention of separating nouns in compound structures. However, even in the UK, “healthcare” as a single word is increasingly appearing in modern publications, corporate communications, and digital platforms. The Guardian and BBC use both interchangeably, showing that even major British institutions haven’t fully standardized.
Canadian English similarly shows variation, though “health care” remains more common in official government documents. Australian and New Zealand English follow similar patterns, with government publications maintaining “health care” while modern media and tech companies adopt “healthcare.”
The international healthcare sector increasingly uses “healthcare” as a universal term, particularly in global organizations and multinational companies. This reflects both the dominance of American English in international business and the practical benefit of a unified terminology for global communication.
Non-English speaking countries present an interesting case. Many have adopted the concept of “healthcare” as a single term when discussing the field in English, even if their native languages maintain different structures. This suggests that the single-word version is becoming the global standard for professional and business contexts.
Career Implications and Professional Communication
If you’re exploring careers in health and wellness, understanding this distinction demonstrates linguistic awareness and industry knowledge. When networking or interviewing, using terminology that aligns with your target organization shows you’ve done your homework.
Interestingly, the terminology you use can subtly influence how you’re perceived. Using “healthcare” in modern contexts signals that you’re current with industry trends and comfortable with contemporary language. Using “health care” in formal or traditional settings shows respect for established conventions.
For those pursuing health educator jobs or roles in public health communication, clarity matters enormously. Your choice of terminology should reflect your audience’s expectations and your organization’s standards. Health educators working with government agencies might use “health care,” while those in tech-driven wellness startups would likely use “healthcare.”
The broader lesson for your professional development: language precision matters. Understanding nuances in terminology—whether about ways to reduce stress in professional environments or industry-specific vocabulary—contributes to your credibility and effectiveness. It shows you understand not just what you’re communicating, but how to communicate it appropriately for different contexts.
For those interested in health science careers, this attention to detail extends beyond terminology. It reflects the precision required in healthcare work, where clear, consistent communication directly impacts patient safety and professional outcomes.
Consider also that improving your emotional intelligence includes adapting your communication style to your audience. Using the terminology your colleagues and supervisors prefer demonstrates cultural awareness and professional maturity. It’s a small thing that contributes to larger perceptions of competence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “healthcare” or “health care” correct?
Both are technically correct, but “healthcare” is increasingly the modern standard, particularly in business and contemporary contexts. “Health care” remains acceptable and is still preferred in some traditional medical and government settings. Your choice should depend on your audience and organizational preferences.
Which spelling does the AP Stylebook recommend?
The Associated Press Stylebook officially recommends “healthcare” as a single word. However, the American Medical Association still prefers “health care” as two words. Different style guides reflect different institutional preferences, so always check your specific organization’s guidelines.
Should I use “healthcare” or “health care” on my resume?
Mirror the terminology used in the job posting or organization’s official materials. If they use “healthcare,” use that. If their documents show “health care,” follow their convention. Consistency with organizational standards demonstrates attention to detail and cultural awareness.
Why is there inconsistency in government usage?
Government agencies maintain both forms because older legislation and policy documents use “health care,” while newer initiatives adopt “healthcare.” Changing established legal and policy documents is time-consuming and often unnecessary, so agencies maintain both forms across different documents.
Will “healthcare” eventually become the only standard?
Language evolution suggests this is likely, though the timeline is uncertain. Similar transitions have taken years or decades. For now, both forms remain acceptable, but “healthcare” is clearly the direction modern usage is trending, especially in business and contemporary contexts.
Does the difference matter for SEO or online visibility?
Minimally. Search engines understand both terms as referring to the same concept. However, using “healthcare” might slightly align better with modern search behavior and contemporary web content, while “health care” searches still return robust results. Use whichever fits your content and audience naturally.