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Urban-Rural Inequality of Opportunity in Health Care: Evidence from China

Author

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  • Chao Ma

    (School of Economics and Management, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China)

  • Ze Song

    (School of Economics, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China)

  • Qingqing Zong

    (School of Public Economics and Administration, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, Shanghai 200433, China)

Abstract

(1) Background: We aim to measure the urban-rural inequality of opportunity in healthcare in China based on the theory of Equality of Opportunity (EOp). (2) Methods: Following the compensation principle , we establish a decomposition strategy for the fairness gap , which we use for the measurement of the inequality of opportunity in urban-rural healthcare utilization. We then use China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) data from 1997 to 2006 to calculate the fairness gap . (3) Results: Empirical analysis using CHNS data shows that the ratio of the fairness gap to the directly observed average urban-rural difference in healthcare was 1.167 for 1997–2000 and 1.744 for 2004–2006. The average urban-rural difference observed directly from original statistical data may have underestimated the degree of this essential inequity. (4) Conclusions: Our findings suggest that upgrading urban-rural reimbursement ratios may not be sufficient in eliminating the inequality of opportunity in healthcare utilization between urban and rural residents. Within the context of an urban-rural dualistic social structure and widening of the urban-rural income gap, a shift to a pro-disadvantaged policy will be a more effective approach in promoting equality of opportunity in healthcare.

Suggested Citation

  • Chao Ma & Ze Song & Qingqing Zong, 2021. "Urban-Rural Inequality of Opportunity in Health Care: Evidence from China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-13, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:15:p:7792-:d:599496
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