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Is the quest for efficiency harmful to health equity? An examination of the health efficiency-equity nexus in OECD countries over the past two decades

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  • Bousmah, Marwân-al-Qays
  • Abu-Zaineh, Mohammad
  • Combes, Simon
  • Ventelou, Bruno

Abstract

Has the quest for efficiency in OECD health systems impacted the social gradient of health? We examined the cross-dynamics of the health system equity-efficiency nexus among OECD countries in the past two decades.

Suggested Citation

  • Bousmah, Marwân-al-Qays & Abu-Zaineh, Mohammad & Combes, Simon & Ventelou, Bruno, 2025. "Is the quest for efficiency harmful to health equity? An examination of the health efficiency-equity nexus in OECD countries over the past two decades," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 383(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:383:y:2025:i:c:s0277953625007105
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.118379
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    References listed on IDEAS

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