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Socioeconomic inequity in health care: A study of services utilization in Curaçao

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  • Alberts, Jantina F.
  • Sanderman, Robbert
  • Eimers, J. Marietta
  • Van Den Heuvel, Wim J. A.

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine whether there is socioeconomic equity in health care utilization in Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles. We explore how educational level is related to utilization of GPs, specialists, hospitals, dentists and physiotherapists, taking into account the effects of sex, age and inequalities in health. The study also examines whether these relationships vary according to the unit of analysis: probability (or incidence) of services use versus overall volume of contacts. The data were derived from the Curaçao Health Study, a health interview survey among a random sample (N = 2248) of the nondashinstitutionalized population aged 18 and over. The results indicate that there is socioeconomic inequity in the probability of health care utilization in Curaçao. People with a higher educational level are more likely to consult a specialist, dentist or physiotherapist, and are also more likely to be hospitalized. This is not only the case when the mediating effects of socioeconomic inequalities in health (need) are taken into account, but also before adjustment for health inequalities. In other words: there appears to be both vertical inequity (i.e. greater needs for services are not met by greater use) and horizontal inequity (i.e. similar needs for care are not met by similar levels of services use). The observed inequalities in use of specialists and hospitals contrast with findings from international research. The volume of health services use (i.e. the numbers of consultations) appears to be hardly connected with a person's position in the SES hierarchy; only dental services are used more extensively by higher educated individuals.

Suggested Citation

  • Alberts, Jantina F. & Sanderman, Robbert & Eimers, J. Marietta & Van Den Heuvel, Wim J. A., 1997. "Socioeconomic inequity in health care: A study of services utilization in Curaçao," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 45(2), pages 213-220, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:45:y:1997:i:2:p:213-220
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    Cited by:

    1. Sofia Löfvendahl & Anna Jöud & Ingemar F. Petersson & Elke Theander & Åke Svensson & Katarina Steen Carlsson, 2018. "Income disparities in healthcare use remain after controlling for healthcare need: evidence from Swedish register data on psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis," The European Journal of Health Economics, Springer;Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsökonomie (DGGÖ), vol. 19(3), pages 447-462, April.
    2. Van der Heyden, J. H. A. & Demarest, S. & Tafforeau, J. & Van Oyen, H., 2003. "Socio-economic differences in the utilisation of health services in Belgium," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 65(2), pages 153-165, August.
    3. Alberts, Jantina F. & Sanderman, Robbert & Gerstenbluth, Izzy & van den Heuvel, Wim J. A., 1998. "Sociocultural variations in help-seeking behavior for everyday symptoms and chronic disorders," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(1), pages 57-72, April.
    4. repec:dau:papers:123456789/7006 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Kenya Valeria M. S. Noronha & M™nica Viegas Andrade, 2002. "Social inequality in the access to healthcare services in Brazil," Textos para Discussão Cedeplar-UFMG td172, Cedeplar, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais.
    6. Terraneo, Marco, 2015. "Inequities in health care utilization by people aged 50+: Evidence from 12 European countries," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 154-163.
    7. Zeynep Or & Florence Jusot & Engin Yilmaz, 2008. "Impact of health care system on socioeconomic inequalities in doctor use," Working Papers DT17, IRDES institut for research and information in health economics, revised Sep 2008.
    8. Fooken, Jonas & Vo, Linh K., 2021. "Exploring the macroeconomic and socioeconomic determinants of simultaneous over and undernutrition in Asia: An analysis of stunted child - overweight mother households," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 269(C).

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