Economic Analysis of Health Care Utilization and Perceived Illness : Ethnicity and Other Factors

[摘要] Paqueo and Gonzalez look at thedeterminants of health-seeking behavior of the Mexicanpopulation and within this context focus on the effect ofethnicity. They address the following questions: To whatextent are the indigenous people at a disadvantage healthcare-wise and in what particular health services are theydisadvantaged? Is the health care gap due to indigenouscultures by itself as opposed to the impact of socioeconomicdifferences? What policy instruments can be used to reducethe gap? The authors find that contrary to expectations, theindigenous people in Mexico tend to have a positive behaviortoward modern preventive care compared with thenonindigenous population, holding socioeconomic factorsconstant. Apparently, there is no cultural barrier in regardto these services. But ethnicity remains negativelyassociated with the use of inpatient hospital care andmedical and dental consultations. Insurance has asignificant and positive effect on health care use.Therefore, it appears to be an effective instrument foraddressing the health care disadvantages faced by theindigenous population in regard to inpatient care and theuse of outpatient services of doctors, nurses, and dentists.

[发布机构] World Bank, Washington, DC

[学科分类] 社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

[关键词] AGED;AILMENTS;BASIC HEALTH CARE;BASIC HEALTH SERVICES;COMMODITIES