Abstract:
We study inequality in the distribution of self-assessed health (SAH) in the United States and China, two large countries that have expanded their insurance provisions in recent decades, but that lack universal coverage and differ in other social determinants of health. Using comparable health survey data from China and the United States, we compare health inequality trends throughout the period covering the public health insurance coverage expansions in the two countries. We find that whether SAH inequality is greater in the US or in China depends on the concept of status and the inequality-sensitivity parameter used; however, the regional pattern of SAH inequality is clearly associated with health-insurance coverage expansions in the US but not significant in China.
摘要:
我们研究了美国和中国自我评估健康(SAH)分布的不平等,近几十年来扩大保险条款的两个大国,但是缺乏全民覆盖,并且在健康的其他社会决定因素上有所不同。使用中国和美国的可比健康调查数据,我们比较了两国公共健康保险覆盖范围扩大期间的健康不平等趋势。我们发现,美国或中国的SAH不平等是否更大取决于地位的概念和使用的不平等敏感性参数;然而,SAH不平等的区域模式显然与美国的医疗保险覆盖面扩张相关,但在中国并不显著。