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Socioeconomic inequalities in drug utilization for Sweden: Evidence from linked survey and register data

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  • Nordin, Martin
  • Dackehag, Margareta
  • Gerdtham, Ulf-G.

Abstract

This study analyzes the socioeconomic gradient in drug utilization. We use The Swedish Prescribed Drug Register, merged with the Survey of Living Conditions (the ULF), and the study sample consists of 8138 individuals. We find a positive education gradient (but no income gradient) in drug utilization, after controlling for health indicators. Whereas high-educated men use a larger number of drugs, high-educated women use both a larger number of drugs and more expensive drugs. For males, but not as clearly for females, we find that the education gradient is weaker for more health-related drugs but stronger for more expensive drugs. We conclude that the main reason for the education gradient in drug utilization is doctors' behaviour rather than compliance with medication and affordability of drugs.

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  • Nordin, Martin & Dackehag, Margareta & Gerdtham, Ulf-G., 2013. "Socioeconomic inequalities in drug utilization for Sweden: Evidence from linked survey and register data," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 106-117.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:77:y:2013:i:c:p:106-117
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.11.013
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    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. Zhao, Guangchuan & Cao, Xinbang & Ma, Chao, 2020. "Accounting for horizontal inequity in the delivery of health care: A framework for measurement and decomposition," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 13-24.
    3. Denzil G. Fiebig, 2017. "Big Data: Will It Improve Patient-Centered Care?," The Patient: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Springer;International Academy of Health Preference Research, vol. 10(2), pages 133-139, April.
    4. Anell, Anders & Dackehag, Margareta & Dietrichson, Jens & Ellegård, Lina Maria & Kjellsson, Gustav, 2022. "Better Off by Risk Adjustment? Socioeconomic Disparities in Care Utilization in Sweden Following a Payment Reform," Working Papers 2022:15, Lund University, Department of Economics, revised 12 Mar 2024.
    5. Denzil G. Fiebig & Kees van Gool & Jane Hall & Chunzhou Mu, 2021. "Health care use in response to health shocks: Does socio‐economic status matter?," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(12), pages 3032-3050, December.
    6. Anell, Anders & Dackehag , Margareta & Dietrichson, Jens, 2016. "Does Risk-Adjusted Payment Influence Primary Care Providers' Decision on Where to Set Up Practices?," Working Papers 2016:24, Lund University, Department of Economics.
    7. Anna Baranowska-Rataj & Xavier de Luna & Anneli Ivarsson, 2016. "Does the number of siblings affect health in midlife? Evidence from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 35(43), pages 1259-1302.

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