The effect of primary healthcare on mortality: Evidence from Costa Rica

This paper uses the gradual implementation of a primary healthcare (PHC) intervention in Costa Rica to examine the long-term effect of PHC on mortality. Nine years after opening a primary care center, known as a Health Area, there was an associated 13% reduction in age-adjusted mortality rate in the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of health economics 2024-01, Vol.93, p.102833-102833, Article 102833
Main Authors: Mora-García, Claudio A, Pesec, Madeline, Prado, Andrea M
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:This paper uses the gradual implementation of a primary healthcare (PHC) intervention in Costa Rica to examine the long-term effect of PHC on mortality. Nine years after opening a primary care center, known as a Health Area, there was an associated 13% reduction in age-adjusted mortality rate in the assigned patient population. The effect was highest among adults over 65 years of age and for those with noncommunicable diseases, such as cardiovascular-related causes of death. We also show that as Health Areas opened, more individuals sought care at primary care clinics, while fewer sought care at emergency rooms; these changes may have partially mediated the effect of the intervention on mortality.
ISSN:0167-6296
1879-1646
DOI:10.1016/j.jhealeco.2023.102833