Trends in geographic disparities in allocation of health care resources in the US

Objectives: This study aimed to examine current level and historical trends in health resources distribution in the US; to investigate the relationships between both levels and trends of inequality with—geographic location, inequality of income and rates per capita of hospital-beds and physicians. M...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Health policy (Amsterdam) 2004-05, Vol.68 (2), p.223-232
Main Authors: Horev, Tuvia, Pesis-Katz, Irena, Mukamel, Dana B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Beds
Distribution
Economic aspects
Economic resources
Geography
Health
Health administration
Health care
Health Care Rationing - trends
Health planning
Health policy
Health resources
Health Resources - organization & administration
Health services
Health Services Accessibility
Health Services Research
Hospitals
Income distribution
Inequality
Medical sector
Medical service
Physicians
Policy studies
Public health
Social Justice
Supply and demand
U.S.A
United States
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Summary:Objectives: This study aimed to examine current level and historical trends in health resources distribution in the US; to investigate the relationships between both levels and trends of inequality with—geographic location, inequality of income and rates per capita of hospital-beds and physicians. Methods: The Gini Coefficient was used to measure variations in distribution of physicians and hospital-beds (at the county level) during three decades. Results: Physician distribution has become less equitable, while hospital-beds’ equity has increased. physicians’ distribution exhibited a geographic trend, becoming more equitable in the West. No association was found between equality in hospital-beds’ distribution and rates of hospital-beds per capita. Conclusions: Rates per capita might not be sufficient in determining availability of resources. Further research is needed to determine implications for health outcomes.
ISSN:0168-8510
1872-6054
DOI:10.1016/j.healthpol.2003.09.011