Changes in unmet health care needs.
OBJECTIVE
This article examines recent trends in self-reported unmet health care needs among the household population aged 12 or older, and explores various explanations for the increase observed.


METHODS
The data are from the first half (September 2000 through February 2001) of data collection for cycle 1.1 of the Canadian Community Health Survey and from cross-sectional (1994/95 through 1998/99) household components of the National Population Health Survey.


METHODS
Weighted frequencies and cross-tabulations were used to estimate the proportion of people aged 12 or older who reported that they did not receive health care when they thought they needed it. Estimates were also produced for the type of care sought, and specific reasons for unmet health care needs.


RESULTS
The percentage of people reporting unmet health care needs rose gradually between 1994/95 and 1998/99, then doubled (from 6% to over 12%) between 1998/99 and 2000/01. Long waiting time was the reason most frequently reported for unmet needs.
Sanmartin
Claudia
C
Social and Economic Studies Division, Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0T6. sanmcla@statcan.ca
Houle
Christian
C
Tremblay
Stéphane
S
Berthelot
Jean-Marie
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002170:Canada; D002648:Child; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000639:trends*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014850:Waiting Lists