Disparities in prescription drug insurance coverage.
OBJECTIVE
This article examines socioeconomic differences in supplementary insurance for prescription drugs among Canadians aged 15 or older and how the availability of such insurance affects prescription drug use.


METHODS
The data on prescription drug insurance coverage and drug use are from the cross-sectional Health file of the 1996/97 National Population Health Survey (NPHS) conducted by Statistics Canada. The sample size of the population aged 15 or older was 70,884.


METHODS
Rates of insurance coverage for prescription drug services were calculated. All summary estimates were age-adjusted using the 1996/97 population of Canada (both sexes).


RESULTS
Among people aged 15 or older, 61% were covered for prescription medications in 1996/97. Sixty-five percent of workers reported coverage, while those who were not working were less likely to have benefits (52%). Only 38% of lower income groups had insurance compared with 74% of the highest income group. Regardless of the number of chronic diseases individuals had, those with drug insurance were more likely to report taking medication.
Millar
W J
WJ
Health Statistics Division at Statistics Canada, Ottawa. millway@statcan.ca
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002170:Canada; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D005102:Health Expenditures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D019458:Insurance Coverage / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007356:Insurance, Pharmaceutical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged