Evidence map›Paper›PMID 31477104›Full record

ArticleBMC health services research2019

Inequality in outpatient resource utilization among older adults during the 2007-2008 financial crisis: findings from Taiwan.

Chiao-Lee Chu, Yu-Hua Chu, Chih-Yuan Lin, Yen-Ping Hsieh, Ching-Sung Ho, Yung-Yu Su, Chia-Nien Liu

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Article in BMC health services research, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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5 · Who and what money

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7 authors.

Chiao-Lee ChuDepartment of Long Term Care, National Quemoy University, No. 1, University Rd., Jinning township, Kinmen County, 89250, Taiwan, Republic of China. chiaoleechu@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0247-2178
Yu-Hua ChuSchool of Dentistry, National Defense Medical Center, No.161, Sec. 6, Minquan E. Rd., Neihu Dist., Taipei City, 11490, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Chih-Yuan LinDepartment of Senior Citizen Welfare and Long-term Care Business (master program), Hungkuang University, No. 1018, Sec. 6, Taiwan Boulevard, Shalu District, Taichung City, 43302, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Yen-Ping HsiehDepartment of Long Term Care, National Quemoy University, No. 1, University Rd., Jinning township, Kinmen County, 89250, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Ching-Sung HoDepartment of Long Term Care, National Quemoy University, No. 1, University Rd., Jinning township, Kinmen County, 89250, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Yung-Yu SuDepartment of Long Term Care, National Quemoy University, No. 1, University Rd., Jinning township, Kinmen County, 89250, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Chia-Nien LiuDepartment of Living Science, National Open University, No.172, Zhongzheng Rd., Luzhou Dist.,, New Taipei City, 247, Taiwan, Republic of China.

Funding

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6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundEquity in medical resource utilization is a crucial concern in countries with national health insurance systems. From the perspective of an active aging framework, public health insurance is one of the pillars of economic security, as suggested by the World Bank, to achieve the goal of social security for older adults. This study thus sought to quantify income-related inequality in national health insurance systems, especially during the global economic crisis of 2007-2008.

methodsBy employing the Taiwan National Health Interview Surveys (2005 and 2009) datasets, we analyzed the socioeconomic inequality of outpatient service utilization for older Taiwanese adults during the financial crisis of 2007-2008. We used corrected concentration indices (CCIs) to examine inequalities over time. Furthermore, we decomposed socioeconomic inequalities to reveal the contributions of determinant factors. The dependent variables related to whether participants had used outpatient services in the previous month, and the independent factors included individual's needs, enabling, predisposing, and environmental factors proposed by Andersen model.

resultsThe sample consisted of 2415 observations in 2005 and 2554 observations in 2009. The income-related health care inequality was minor from pro-rich to pro-poor across the study duration, although the difference was insignificant (women: from a concentration index [CI] of 0.0256 in 2005 to a CI of - 0.0098 in 2009; men: from a CI of 0.0379 in 2005 to a CI of 0.0310 in 2009). We used a probit model to analyze the effect of explanatory factors on outpatient resource utilization by men and women. After other factors were controlled for, we found that that the income variable had a positive and significant effect on outpatient service utilization in 2009 and the absolute contribution of income to inequality notably increased from 0.0480 in 2005 to 0.3247 in 2009 for older women.

conclusionsIn conclusion, Taiwan's National Health Insurance system guarantees the accessibility of health care services to older adults, but slight income-related inequality was maintained in the outpatient resource utilization of women during the 2007-2008 financial crisis. Close attention should be paid to the vulnerability of women during times of economic insecurity.

Indexed as

Ambulatory CareEconomic RecessionHealth ResourcesHealth Services AccessibilityAgedDatabases, FactualEmploymentFemaleHealthcare DisparitiesHumansMaleMiddle AgedNational Health ProgramsTaiwanConcentration indexEconomic crisisHealth inequalityMedical care utilizationOlder adults

Identifiers

PMID31477104
PMCPMC6721238

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