many of the societal level factors that affect health – the ‘social determinants of health (sdh)’ – exist outside the health sector, across diverse portfolios of government, and other major institutions including non-governmental organisations (ngos) and the private sector. this has created growing interest in how to create and implement public policies which will drive better and fairer health...

Despite the hype and ostensible investments in child survival strategies, the state of child health in much of the developing world is alarming. Not only are global investments and support programmes for child health by the development agencies declining, but commensurate support for maternal and child health by poor countries themselves is poor. In order to make a meaningful contribution to ma...

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to classify determinants of cost increases into two categories, negotiable factors and non-negotiable factors, in order to identify the determinants of health care expenditure increases and to clarify the contribution of associated factors selected based on a literature review. METHODS The data in this analysis was from the statistical yearbooks of Nat...

background : health policy makers are concerned about protecting people from catastrophic health expenditures and subsequent impoverishment. this study aimed to describe the magnitude and distribution of catastrophic health expenditures in kermanshah western iran. methods : in this descriptive study, during may 2008, 189 households were chosen by “systematic random sampling” among the commu...

Using a panel dataset from 1980 to 2000 this paper analyzes the determinants of income inequality in Latin American countries with special attention paid to education, health, and social security expenditures. I build on previous research by solving for the endogeneity of the social spending variables in the income inequality equation. This study undertakes 2SLS and GMM methods in order to cont...

BACKGROUND The relationship between social capital and self-rated health has been documented in many developed compared to developing countries. Because social capital and health play important roles in development, it may be valuable to study their relationship in the context of a developing country with poorer health status. Further, the role of social capital research for health policy has n...

The social determinants of health (SDH) are recognized as important indicators of health and well-being. Health-care services (primary, secondary, tertiary care) have not until recently been considered an SDH. Inequities in access to health care are changing this view. These inequities include barriers faced by certain population groups at point of care, such as the lack of cultural competence ...

BACKGROUND One of the main challenges of healthcare systems of developing countries is health inequality. Health inequality means inequality in individuals' ability and proper functioning, resulting in inequality in social status and living conditions, which thwarts social interventions implemented by the government. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to determine and prioritize the social determina...

Mutual health organizations (MHOs) are voluntary membership organizations providing health insurance services to their members. MHOs aim to increase access to health care by reducing out-of-pocket payments faced by households. We used multiple regression analysis of household survey data from Ghana, Mali and Senegal to investigate the determinants of enrollment in MHOs, and the impact of MHO me...