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The Association between Mortality-to-Incidence Ratios and Health Expenditures in Brain and Nervous System Cancers

Author

Listed:
  • Tsung-Han Lee

    (Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
    Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
    The authors contribute equally in this manuscript.)

  • Wen-Wei Sung

    (Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
    School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
    Department of Urology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
    The authors contribute equally in this manuscript.)

  • Lung Chan

    (School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan)

  • Hsiang-Lin Lee

    (Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
    Department of Surgery, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40201, Taiwan)

  • Sung-Lang Chen

    (Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
    School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
    Department of Urology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40201, Taiwan)

  • Yu-Hui Huang

    (Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
    School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
    Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40201, Taiwan)

  • Aij-Lie Kwan

    (Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
    Department of Neurosurgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan)

Abstract

Mortality-to-incidence ratios (MIRs) are alternative parameters used to evaluate the prognosis of a disease. In addition, MIRs are associated with the ranking of health care systems and expenditures for certain types of cancer. However, a lack of association between MIRs and pancreatic cancer has been noted. Given the poor prognosis of brain and nervous system cancers, similar to pancreatic cancer, the relation of MIRs and health care disparities is worth investigating. We used the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (CC) to analyze the correlation between the MIRs in brain and nervous system cancers and inter-country disparities, including expenditures on health and human development index. Interestingly, the MIRs in brain and nervous system cancers are associated with the human development index score (N = 157, CC = −0.394, p < 0.001), current health expenditure (CHE) per capita (N = 157, CC = −0.438, p < 0.001), and CHE as percentage of gross domestic product (N = 157, CC = −0.245, p = 0.002). In conclusion, the MIRs in the brain and nervous system cancer are significantly associated with health expenditures and human development index. However, their role as an indicator of health disparity warrants further investigation.

Suggested Citation

  • Tsung-Han Lee & Wen-Wei Sung & Lung Chan & Hsiang-Lin Lee & Sung-Lang Chen & Yu-Hui Huang & Aij-Lie Kwan, 2019. "The Association between Mortality-to-Incidence Ratios and Health Expenditures in Brain and Nervous System Cancers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-9, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:15:p:2739-:d:253561
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