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Summary Measures of Health Inequality: A Review of Existing Measures and Their Application

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  • Anne Schlotheuber

    (Department of Data and Analytics, World Health Organization, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland)

  • Ahmad Reza Hosseinpoor

    (Department of Data and Analytics, World Health Organization, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland)

Abstract

Measuring and monitoring health inequalities is key to achieving health equity. While disaggregated data are commonly used to assess differences in health between different population subgroups, summary measures of health inequality also play a vital role in monitoring health inequalities. Building on disaggregated data, they quantify the level of inequality in a single number and are useful to compare inequality over time and across different health indicators, programmes and settings. We provide a comprehensive overview of existing summary measures of health inequality, including their definition, calculation, interpretation and application. The use of these measures is illustrated based on an example from the WHO’s Health Equity Monitor database using the WHO’s Health Equity Assessment Toolkit (HEAT) software. We discuss the strengths and limitations of different measures and provide guidance for selecting suitable summary measures for analysing health inequalities and communicating results. Summary measures of health inequality should form an integral part of health inequality monitoring to inform equity-oriented policies and programmes.

Suggested Citation

  • Anne Schlotheuber & Ahmad Reza Hosseinpoor, 2022. "Summary Measures of Health Inequality: A Review of Existing Measures and Their Application," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-25, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:6:p:3697-:d:775396
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wagstaff, Adam & Paci, Pierella & van Doorslaer, Eddy, 1991. "On the measurement of inequalities in health," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 33(5), pages 545-557, January.
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    2. Chen, Taoshan, 2023. "How does Monitoring and Evaluation Affect Racial Health Inequality? Evidence from PMAQ Program in Brazil," Warwick-Monash Economics Student Papers 51, Warwick Monash Economics Student Papers.
    3. Nasser B. Ebrahim & Madhu S. Atteraya, 2023. "Inequalities of Infant Mortality in Ethiopia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(12), pages 1-12, June.

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