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Barriers to Health Care among the Elderly in Japan

Author

Listed:
  • Chiyoe Murata

    (Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine, 1-20-1 Handayama, Higashiku, Hamamatsu, 431-3192, Japan)

  • Tetsuji Yamada

    (Rutgers University, Department of Economics and Center for Children and Childhood Studies, Camden, NJ 08102, USA)

  • Chia-Ching Chen

    (New York Medical College, School of Health Sciences & Practice, Department of Epidemiology & Community Health, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA)

  • Toshiyuki Ojima

    (Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine, 1-20-1 Handayama, Higashiku, Hamamatsu, 431-3192, Japan)

  • Hiroshi Hirai

    (Nihon Fukushi University, Center for Well-being and Society, 5-22-35 Chiyoda Nakaku Nagoya, Aichi, 460-0012, Japan)

  • Katsunori Kondo

    (Nihon Fukushi University, Center for Well-being and Society, 5-22-35 Chiyoda Nakaku Nagoya, Aichi, 460-0012, Japan)

Abstract

Japan is undergoing a set of health care reforms aimed at cutting rising health care costs and increasing the efficiency of health care delivery. This empirical study used a large-scale community survey on 15,302 elderly people 65 years and older (56.0% women) conducted in seven municipalities in 2006, to reveal clear-cut evidence of barriers to necessary care. The reasons for not getting health care is attributed to health care cost for the elderly with lower income, while higher income counterparts reported being busy or having a condition not serious enough to seek care.

Suggested Citation

  • Chiyoe Murata & Tetsuji Yamada & Chia-Ching Chen & Toshiyuki Ojima & Hiroshi Hirai & Katsunori Kondo, 2010. "Barriers to Health Care among the Elderly in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 7(4), pages 1-12, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:7:y:2010:i:4:p:1330-1341:d:7643
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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