Health disparities across income Generally:high-income individuals self-report a higher health status than those of lower incomes For most conditions,the poor exhibit more incidences of disease Some exceptions like Bronchitis--no difference Hay fever--the rich appear to be diagnosed with hay fever more often May be explainable if richer children visit the doctor more often and hence,are more likely to be diagnosed Bhattacharya,Hyde and Tu-HealthEconomics
Bhattacharya, Hyde and Tu – Health Economics Health disparities across income Generally: high-income individuals self-report a higher health status than those of lower incomes For most conditions, the poor exhibit more incidences of disease Some exceptions like Bronchitis -- no difference Hay fever -- the rich appear to be diagnosed with hay fever more often May be explainable if richer children visit the doctor more often and hence, are more likely to be diagnosed
Disparities even with universal insurance Even in countries with universal health insurance, health disparities persist Canada: Self-reported health status for children at high SES better than children of low SES(Currie and Stabile 2003) England: We discuss the Whitehall studies later Bhattacharya,Hyde and Tu-HealthEconomics
Bhattacharya, Hyde and Tu – Health Economics Disparities even with universal insurance Even in countries with universal health insurance, health disparities persist Canada: Self-reported health status for children at high SES better than children of low SES (Currie and Stabile 2003) England: We discuss the Whitehall studies later
Theories to explain health disparities
Theories to explain health disparities
Why do health disparities exist? Reasons/theories Early life events Income levels Stress of being poor Work capacity ▣Impatience Adherence to medical advice Policy importance of understanding causes of disparities before addressing them Bhattacharya,Hyde and Tu-HealthEconomics
Bhattacharya, Hyde and Tu – Health Economics Why do health disparities exist? Reasons/theories Early life events Income levels Stress of being poor Work capacity Impatience Adherence to medical advice Policy importance of understanding causes of disparities before addressing them