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Is there a link between health care utilisation and subjective well-being? An exploratory study among older Danes

Author

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  • Maiken Skovrider Aaskoven

    (University of Southern Denmark)

  • Trine Kjær

    (University of Southern Denmark)

  • Dorte Gyrd-Hansen

    (University of Southern Denmark)

Abstract

While extensive research has explored the influence of traditional factors such as socioeconomic position on health care utilisation, the independent role of an individual’s well-being in their health care seeking behaviour remains largely uncharted territory. In this study, we delve into the role of subjective well-being (SWB) in health care utilisation. We use a unique link between survey data from a representative group of Danish citizens aged 50-80 and administrative register data containing information on health care utilisation and sociodemographics. We explore whether SWB is a predictor of health care utilisation (general practice services) over and above health (as measured by health-related quality of life (HRQoL)). We find that the association between SWB and number of services provided in general practice differs across levels of HRQoL. Among those with lower HRQoL, we find a positive association between health care utilisation and SWB. Results hold true even when controlling for previous health care utilisation, suggesting that the mechanism is not driven by reverse causality. Our findings suggest that, in particular for vulnerable individuals in poor health and with poor SWB, the propensity to seek care is inappropriately low, and there is a need for more proactive supply-driven health care.

Suggested Citation

  • Maiken Skovrider Aaskoven & Trine Kjær & Dorte Gyrd-Hansen, 2025. "Is there a link between health care utilisation and subjective well-being? An exploratory study among older Danes," The European Journal of Health Economics, Springer;Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsökonomie (DGGÖ), vol. 26(1), pages 87-93, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eujhec:v:26:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s10198-024-01691-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s10198-024-01691-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Olsen, Jan Abel, 1997. "Theories of justice and their implications for priority setting in health care," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 16(6), pages 625-639, December.
    2. Culyer, A. J. & Wagstaff, Adam, 1993. "Equity and equality in health and health care," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 12(4), pages 431-457, December.
    3. Böckerman, Petri & Johansson, Edvard & Saarni, Samuli I., 2011. "Do established health-related quality-of-life measures adequately capture the impact of chronic conditions on subjective well-being?," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 100(1), pages 91-95, April.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Health care utilisation; Health-related quality of life; Subjective well-being; Ageing; Denmark;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I1 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being

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