Health care resource allocation and individuals' health care needs: examining the degree of fit.
Previous studies examine associations between health system resources and an individual's use of health services, yet the importance of these resources in meeting an individual's health care needs is unclear. This paper examines the relationship between health care system characteristics, other social and economic characteristics of counties in a mid-western U.S. state and an individual's ability to meet health care needs over a 12-month period. We conclude that policy interventions are needed that look beyond health resource allocation to address problems in health care access that contribute to inequities in health.
Division of General Internal Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Louis Stokes VA Medical Center, 10701 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA. david.litaker@med.va.gov
David
D
Litaker
Thomas Ezra
TE
Love
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003625:Data Collection; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D015276:Health Care Rationing; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009820:Ohio