Equity in the delivery of health care in Europe and the US.
J Health Econ
; 19(5): 553-83, 2000 Sep.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-11184794
ABSTRACT
This paper presents a comparison of horizontal equity in health care utilization in 10 European countries and the US. It does not only extend previous work by using more recent data from a larger set of countries, but also uses new methods and presents disaggregated results by various types of care. In all countries, the lower-income groups are more intensive users of the health care system. But after indirect standardization for need differences, there is little or no evidence of significant inequity in the delivery of health care overall, though in half of the countries, significant pro-rich inequity emerges for physician contacts. This seems to be due mainly to a higher use of medical specialist services by higher-income groups and a higher use of GP care among lower-income groups. These findings appear to be fairly general and emerge in countries with very diverse characteristics regarding access and provider incentives.
Search on Google
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Social Justice
/
Health Status Indicators
/
Health Services
/
Health Services Needs and Demand
Type of study:
Etiology_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Aspects:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
/
Equity_inequality
/
Patient_preference
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
America do norte
/
Europa
Language:
En
Journal:
J Health Econ
Journal subject:
HOSPITAIS
/
SERVICOS DE SAUDE
Year:
2000
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Netherlands