Has Universal Health Insurance Reduced Socioeconomic Inequalities in Urban and Rural Health Service Use in Thailand?

Health Place, Vol. 16, No. 5, pp. 1030-1037, 2010

16 Pages Posted: 30 Oct 2010 Last revised: 6 Sep 2014

See all articles by Vasoontara Yiengprugsawan

Vasoontara Yiengprugsawan

Australian National University (ANU)

Gordon A. Carmichael

Australian National University (ANU)

Lynette L. Y. Lim

Australian National University (ANU) - Main

Sam-Ang Seubsman

Australian National University (ANU)

Adrian Sleigh

Australian National University (ANU) - National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health

Date Written: September 16, 2010

Abstract

This study analyses urban and rural health service use before and after the introduction of the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS). Using data from the Thai national health surveys of 2001 and 2005, the study utilises age-sex adjusted concentration indices to measure within-area differences in use of health services among populations distinguished by socioeconomic status. Between 2001 and 2005, the UCS substantially reduced Thailand’s uninsured population (from 42.5% to 7.0% in urban areas and from 24.9% to 2.7% in rural areas). The implementation of the UCS changed patterns of health services use, particularly for rural people and the urban poor, by placing greater emphasis on primary healthcare. Relevant policy recommendations should focus on continued improvement of primary health services, and ensuring adequate and timely referrals to secondary and tertiary health services when the need arises.

Keywords: Universal Health Insurance, Urban–Rural Inequality, Health Service Use, Thailand

JEL Classification: I00, J00

Suggested Citation

Yiengprugsawan, Vasoontara and Carmichael, Gordon A. and Lim, Lynette L. Y. and Seubsman, Sam-Ang and Sleigh, Adrian, Has Universal Health Insurance Reduced Socioeconomic Inequalities in Urban and Rural Health Service Use in Thailand? (September 16, 2010). Health Place, Vol. 16, No. 5, pp. 1030-1037, 2010, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1700055

Vasoontara Yiengprugsawan (Contact Author)

Australian National University (ANU) ( email )

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601
Australia

Gordon A. Carmichael

Australian National University (ANU) ( email )

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601
Australia

Lynette L. Y. Lim

Australian National University (ANU) - Main ( email )

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601
Australia

Sam-Ang Seubsman

Australian National University (ANU) ( email )

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601
Australia

Adrian Sleigh

Australian National University (ANU) - National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health ( email )

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Australia

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
30
Abstract Views
596
PlumX Metrics