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Does Reporting Heterogeneity bias the Measurement of Health Disparities?

Author

Listed:
  • Teresa Bago d'Uva

    (University of York)

  • Eddy van Doorslaer

    (Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam and Netspar)

  • Maarten Lindeboom

    (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, HEB, IZA, and Netspar)

  • Owen O'Donnell

    (Erasmus University Rotterdam, University of Macedonia, and Netspar)

  • Somnath Chatterji

    (World Health Organization)

Abstract

Heterogeneity in reporting of health by socio-economic and demographic characteristics potentially biases the measurement of health disparities. We use anchoring vignettes to identify socio-demographic differences in the reporting of health in Indonesia, India and China. Homogeneous reporting by socio-demographic group is rejected and correcting for reporting heterogeneity tends to reduce slightly estimated disparities in health by education (not China) and to increase those by income. But the method does not reveal substantial reporting bias in measures of health disparities. This discussion paper has resulted in a publication in Health Economics , 2008, 17(3), 351-75).

Suggested Citation

  • Teresa Bago d'Uva & Eddy van Doorslaer & Maarten Lindeboom & Owen O'Donnell & Somnath Chatterji, 2006. "Does Reporting Heterogeneity bias the Measurement of Health Disparities?," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 06-033/3, Tinbergen Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:tin:wpaper:20060033
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    health measurement; vignettes; self-reported health; reporting heterogeneity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D30 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - General
    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior

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