This paper applies the methods used by Wagstaff and van Doorslaer in Europe to data from Guatemala and Mali to examine equity and inequity in the health sector. Earlier work done under the USAID-funded PHR Project's Major Applied Research program used relatively simple methods to examine inequality in the health sector in eight countries. This work goes farther to use the more-sophisticated methods of Wagstaff and van Doorslaer on data from two countries to move from analysis of inequality to analysis of inequity.
Some of the analyses performed are the following, examination of inequity in: (1) need for health services by socio-economic groups, adjusted for age and sex structures, (2) the use of health services when in need of care, with similar adjustments, and (3) out-of-pocket spending on health services. It also analyses the incidence of resource generatation overall for health services and the relationship between self-reported illness in a defined recall period and self-reported health status.
Finally, the work examines how much more information is produced by these analyses compared to the simpler inequality analyses done earlier. Linked to this is the issue of accessibility and ease of understanding of the results of the analyses by those who might use them for policy making.
Learning Objectives: 1. Learn about the application of equity analysis methods used in Europe, when applied to data from developing countries. 2. Learn about the equity situation in Guatemala and Mali concerning health status and use of services when in need by socio-economic status
Keywords: Economic Analysis, Equal Access
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.