Ineffective insurance in lower and middle income countries is an obstacle to universal health coverage

Journal of Global Health
Abdulrahman M El-SayedMargaret E Kruk

Abstract

Recent health policy efforts have sought to promote universal health coverage (UHC) as a means of providing affordable access to health services to populations. However, insurance schemes are heterogeneous, and some schemes may not provide necessary services to those covered. We explored the prevalence and determinants of ineffective insurance across 42 lower and middle income countries (LMICs) from the 2002-2004 World Health Survey. Respondents were defined as having ineffective health insurance if they reported being insured and: were forced to borrow or sell personal items to pay for health services; had an untreated chronic condition; or had recently delivered a child outside of a skilled health facility (women only). Among the insured, 13% had ineffective insurance, which was most commonly due to having to borrow or sell to pay for health care. The likelihood of ineffective insurance was lowest in upper-middle income countries and higher in other lower-middle and low-income countries. Ineffective insurance also decreased with family wealth and was higher among rural residents. Our findings suggest that a high proportion of insurance in LMICs is ineffective, particularly among those who need it most, and that attention shou...Continue Reading

References

Apr 26, 2005·Social Science & Medicine·Bakhuti ShengeliaChristopher J L Murray
Dec 19, 2013·Bulletin of the World Health Organization·James CampbellViroj Tangcharoensathien
Dec 19, 2013·Bulletin of the World Health Organization·James Campbell
Sep 23, 2014·PLoS Medicine·Marie NgStephen S Lim
Oct 3, 2014·Global Health, Science and Practice·Stephen Hodgins, Alexis D'Agostino
Feb 11, 2015·Health Economics, Policy, and Law·Alex VoorhoeveOle F Norheim

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Nov 30, 2019·African Journal of AIDS Research : AJAR·Willyanne DeCormier PloskyJames G Kahn
Feb 14, 2020·PloS One·Agung Dwi LaksonoRatna Dwi Wulandari
Nov 16, 2019·Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official Journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology·Nandita KheraNavneet Majhail
May 21, 2020·Health Policy and Planning·Sarah DickersonJeremy Barofsky
Jun 21, 2020·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Rana Dahab, Dikaios Sakellariou
Jun 23, 2021·Health Research Policy and Systems·Joseph KazibweKristi Sidney Annerstedt

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Software Mentioned

QGIS
Stata

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.