Trends of Out-of-Pocket Expenditure for Influenza in China Health and Nutrition Survey During 1989-2006
900.ris
—
Octet Stream,
1 kB (1753 bytes)
OBJECTIVES: To examine the trends of out-of-pocket expenditure for influenza during 1989-2006 in China. METHODS: Data were extracted from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) during 1989-2006 (in seven waves). A fixed effect model with robust standard errors was employed to examine trends of out-of-pocket expenditure (adjusted to 2006 Chinese RMB). RESULTS: The out-of-pocket expenditure increased from 11.92 RMB in 1989 to 50.75 RMB in 2006. The final sample for fixed effect model was 23,050 households. Income elasticity of out-of-pocket expenditure was 1.6%. Using 1989 as reference, the predicted increase was 242.23% [95% confidence interval (CI): 225.79-259.50%] in 2006; it was 143.54% in city hospitals [95% CI: 130.43-157.40%] compared to village clinics. CONCLUSIONS: Adjusted for inflation and income elasticity, Chinese households experienced an increase of more than double the out-of-pocket expenditure during 1989-2006. The expenditure was higher in higher-level facilities. Policy implications include the government fixed-budget financing to health providers could contribute to the rapidly increased financial burden; a referral system should be rebuilt; private health providers may play an important role in containing healthcare price in China.
JOUR
Liu, Jinan
Shi, Lizheng
Khan, Mahmud
Xu, Lingzhong
Wang, Liya
2012
International Journal of Public Health
57
1
193-8
2011/04/20
1661-8564 (Electronic) 1661-8556 (Linking)
10.1007/s00038-011-0251-y
900