systemic issues

USAGE SUMMARY

'systemic issues' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe issues that affect a system as a whole, rather than only its parts. For example: "The report highlighted a number of systemic issues in the health care system that needed to be addressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What role do Millennials play in solving systemic issues in our healthcare system?

Huffington Post

This is not how medicine should work, and it's indicative of systemic issues within our healthcare system.

HuffPost

He also assessed my systemic issues.

The New York Times

Potential spenders are also held back by systemic issues.

The New Yorker

"In light of IG report & systemic issues at @DeptVetAffairs, Sec.

The Washington Post

The systemic issues must now be dealt with in public".

Independent

Real leadership is required now to tackle these systemic issues.

The New York Times

The errors that creep into death certificates from inadequate training and other systemic issues are troubling.

The New Yorker

Today's al-Sweady report rightly picks up on some of the important systemic issues in play.

The Guardian - Opinion

As everywhere, systemic issues like poverty and a lack of effective social services can't be ignored.

The Guardian - Music

"The systemic issues need to be solved on an international level," Mr. Biscaro said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Incorporate the phrase into formal reports or analytical essays to signal that a comprehensive, rather than superficial, solution is required.

Common error

Do not use 'systematic issues' when you mean problems built into a system. 'Systematic' refers to things done according to a fixed plan or method, such as a 'systematic search'. "Systemic issues" refers to problems affecting the whole system, often unintentionally.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "systemic issues" functions as a noun phrase. It typically serves as the subject or the direct object in a sentence to identify comprehensive problems within a framework. Ludwig indicates that it is a standard and grammatically correct way to categorize broad structural failures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "systemic issues" is a highly effective and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe problems that permeate an entire system. According to Ludwig, it is a staple of professional and academic English, particularly when discussing complex topics like social inequality, healthcare efficiency and financial stability. Unlike 'systematic', which implies a methodical process, "systemic issues" highlights flaws inherent in a system's structure. It is most frequently found in high-authority media outlets such as The New York Times and The Guardian, where it serves to frame problems as broad, structural challenges rather than isolated incidents. For any writer aiming for a professional or analytical tone, this phrase is an essential tool for identifying the root causes of widespread malfunctions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

structural issues

Focuses on problems within the organization or framework of a system.

institutional problems

Emphasizes that the issues are rooted in the culture or rules of an institution.

endemic flaws

Suggests that the problems are naturally characteristic of the system itself.

deep-seated problems

Highlights that the issues are firmly established and difficult to change.

widespread challenges

A softer alternative that focuses on the broad reach of the difficulties.

entrenched disparities

Specific to inequalities that have become a permanent part of a system.

fundamental malfunctions

Indicates that the system fails at its most basic level.

system-wide failures

Explicitly states that the failure affects every part of the system.

pervasive obstacles

Suggests that the problems are present and noticeable in every part.

root-cause issues

Focuses on the primary origin of the problems rather than the symptoms.

FAQs

What is the difference between "systemic issues" and "systematic issues"?

While "systemic issues" refers to problems inherent to an entire system, "systematic issues" would imply that the problems are occurring according to a specific, organized plan.

What can I say instead of "systemic issues"?

You can use alternatives like "structural issues", "institutional problems" or "endemic flaws" depending on the context of your writing.

Is "systemic issues" appropriate for academic writing?

Yes, it is highly professional and frequently used in "academic research" and official reports to describe "root causes" of complex problems.

Does "systemic issues" only apply to healthcare?

No, while commonly used in healthcare, it is equally applicable to "social justice", "financial markets" and "educational systems".