The purpose of study is to assess the impact of some of the most significant ecological determinants of mortality and morbidity in the 29 countries comprising the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Data are derived from the OECD Health database, the Comparative Welfare States database, and the World Values Surveys. Specifically, this time-series analysis explores the role of national primary care systems in reducing the adverse impact of income inequality on population health over the period from 1986 to 1996. The analysis takes into account the political context of each country and the types of social, economic and health care policies promulgated by each regime type. Moreover, different measures of income inequality (the Gini coefficient, Atkinson's Index, and Theill's Index) are compared for their association with health outcomes, including several categories of morbidity and mortality, and conditions most amenable to primary care. Finally, national primary care systems will be evaluated in terms of their ability to reduce the negative health effects of income inequalities. The results of the study will be of interest to researchers, policy makers and advocates looking for specific means to address increasing health and social inequalities within countries.
Learning Objectives: At the end of the session, participants will be able to: 1. Describe the relationships among a country's political regime, primary care system, income inequalities and health outcomes; 2. Evaluate the appropriateness of different income inequality measures for health studies; 3. Assess the extent to which primary care may ameliorate some of the health inequalities associated with income distribution within a given country.
Keywords: Primary Care, Social Inequalities
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.