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Health Economics Review
Published in: Health Economics Review 1/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Review

Methods for measuring horizontal equity in health resource allocation: a comparative study

Authors: Yi Tao, Kizito Henry, Qinpei Zou, Xiaoni Zhong

Published in: Health Economics Review | Issue 1/2014

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Abstract

ᅟ

There are many existing methodologies on measuring health equity, while seldom has method aiming at health resource allocation. We collected 6 method of measuring equity in health resource allocation. This paper presents key contents of methods on measuring horizontal equity in health service allocation, yet each method has its advantages and disadvantages as well as range of application, which may help researchers or government to make wise decision when choosing appropriate method for measuring equity. Through comparative analysis, we concluded that socioeconomic factors were considered in concentration index; although the Lorenz curve and Gini-coefficient are widely used, which exist uncertainty and incompleteness; overall inequality can be decomposed by Theil index, which is of significance for the planning of urban and rural areas; preferences on a certain class can be set artificially by Atkinson index; it is easy for Chi-square to analyze aided with statistical software; specific regional differences can be calculated by index of dissimilarity.

Classification codes

I1
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Methods for measuring horizontal equity in health resource allocation: a comparative study
Authors
Yi Tao
Kizito Henry
Qinpei Zou
Xiaoni Zhong
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Health Economics Review / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 2191-1991
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13561-014-0010-x

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