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Increased Inequalities in Health Resource and Access to Health Care in Rural China

Author

Listed:
  • Suhang Song

    (School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
    China Center for Health Development Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China)

  • Beibei Yuan

    (China Center for Health Development Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China)

  • Luyu Zhang

    (School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China)

  • Gang Cheng

    (China Center for Health Development Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China)

  • Weiming Zhu

    (China Center for Health Development Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China)

  • Zhiyuan Hou

    (School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China)

  • Li He

    (College of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Xiaochen Ma

    (China Center for Health Development Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China)

  • Qingyue Meng

    (School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
    China Center for Health Development Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China)

Abstract

Both health resources and access to these resources increased after China’s health care reform launched in 2009. However, it is not clear if the inequalities were reduced within rural China, which was one of the main targets in the reform. This study aims to examine the changes in inequalities in health resources and access following the reform. Data came from the routine report of rural counties in every other year from 2008 to 2014. Health professionals and hospital beds per 1000 population were used for measuring health resources, and the hospitalization rate was used for access. Descriptive analysis and the fixed effect model were used in this study. Health resources and access increased by about 50% between 2008 and 2014 in rural China. The counties in richer quintiles got more health resources and hospitalizations. As for health professionals, the absolute differences between the richer and the poorest quintile were significantly enlarging in 2014 when compared to 2008. Regarding the hospitalization rate, the differences between the richest and the poorest quintile showed no significant change after 2012. In sum, absolute inequalities of health resources were increased, while that of health utilization kept constant following China’s health care reform. The reform needs to continually recruit qualified health workers and appropriately allocate health infrastructures to strengthen the capacity of the health care system in the impoverished areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Suhang Song & Beibei Yuan & Luyu Zhang & Gang Cheng & Weiming Zhu & Zhiyuan Hou & Li He & Xiaochen Ma & Qingyue Meng, 2018. "Increased Inequalities in Health Resource and Access to Health Care in Rural China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2018:i:1:p:49-:d:193197
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rui Chen & Yali Zhao & Juan Du & Tao Wu & Yafang Huang & Aimin Guo, 2014. "Health Workforce Equity in Urban Community Health Service of China," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(12), pages 1-15, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yanchen Liu & Yingchun Chen & Xueyan Cheng & Yan Zhang, 2020. "Performance and Sociodemographic Determinants of Excess Outpatient Demand of Rural Residents in China: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-14, August.

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