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The Aftermath Of The Economic Crisis: Healthcare Systems’ Inequalities In Europe

Author

Listed:
  • Silvia PALASCA

    (Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Doctoral School of Economics and Business Administration, Romania)

  • Sebastian ENEA

    (Romanian Academy, Iasi Branch)

Abstract

During an economic downturn the non-productive sectors (education, health, and social services) are the most exposed to sudden policy changes, as a result of austerity measures. This article aims to assess the impact of the late 2000’s crisis on some European countries’ healthcare systems in order to highlight the link between the breakdown of the economic context and the negative outcomes on a social level. In this regard, a panel data analysis was employed, focusing on out-of-pocket health expenses as an estimation of a nation’s wellbeing and healthcare development level. The cross-time results indicated a clear collapse of all national healthcare systems in 2009 while the cross-section effects implied that the twenty three countries could be divided in three groups according to their healthcare policy, especially regarding health insurance. Thus, countries should pay more attention to the private insurances component of the healthcare systems as the others are defenseless against business cycle fluctuations.

Suggested Citation

  • Silvia PALASCA & Sebastian ENEA, 2014. "The Aftermath Of The Economic Crisis: Healthcare Systems’ Inequalities In Europe," CES Working Papers, Centre for European Studies, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, vol. 6(4), pages 75-91, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:jes:wpaper:y:2014:v:6:i:4:p:75-91
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    File URL: http://ceswp.uaic.ro/articles/CESWP2014_VI4_PAL.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    economic crisis; healthcare; out-of-pocket payments; social inequalities; panel data;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • I13 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Insurance, Public and Private
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality

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