Decentralization and equity of resource allocation: evidence from Colombia and Chile.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relation between decentralization and equity of resource allocation in Colombia and Chile.


METHODS
The "decision space" approach and analysis of expenditures and utilization rates were used to provide a comparative analysis of decentralization of the health systems of Colombia and Chile.


RESULTS
Evidence from Colombia and Chile suggests that decentralization, under certain conditions and with some specific policy mechanisms, can improve equity of resource allocation. In these countries, equitable levels of per capita financial allocations at the municipal level were achieved through different forms of decentralization--the use of allocation formulae, adequate local funding choices and horizontal equity funds. Findings on equity of utilization of services were less consistent, but they did show that increased levels of funding were associated with increased utilization. This suggests that improved equity of funding over time might reduce inequities of service utilization.


CONCLUSIONS
Decentralization can contribute to, or at least maintain, equitable allocation of health resources among municipalities of different incomes.
Politics and Governance Group, International Health Systems Program, Harvard School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Ave, SPH1-1210, Boston, MA 02115, USA. tbossert@hsph.harvard.edu
Thomas J
TJ
Bossert
Osvaldo
O
Larrañaga
Ursula
U
Giedion
José Jesus
JJ
Arbelaez
Diana M
DM
Bowser
D002677:Chile; D003105:Colombia; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D005380:Financing, Government / Q000941:ethics / Q000379:methods*; D015276:Health Care Rationing / Q000191:economics / Q000941:ethics* / Q000379:methods; D005102:Health Expenditures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009111:Local Government; D011057:Politics; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D040841:Resource Allocation / Q000191:economics / Q000941:ethics; D012935:Social Justice