title: Identifying determinants of socioeconomic inequality in health service utilization among patients with chronic non-communicable diseases in China.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  People with chronic non-communicable diseases (NCD) are particularly vulnerable to socioeconomic inequality due to their long-term expensive health needs. This study aimed to assess socioeconomic-related inequality in health service utilization among NCD patients in China and to analyze factors associated with this disparity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were taken from the 2008 Chinese National Health Survey, in which a multiple stage stratified random sampling method was employed to survey 56,456 households. We analyzed the distribution of actual use, need-expected use, and need-standardized usage of outpatient services (over a two-week period) and inpatient services (over one-year) across different income groups in 27,233 adult respondents who reported as having a NCD. We used a concentration index to measure inequality in the distribution of health services, which was expressed as HI (Horizontal Inequity Index) for need-standardized use of services. A non-linear probit regression model was employed to detect inequality across socio-economic groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pro-rich inequity in health services among NCD patients was more substantial than the average population. A higher degree of pro-rich inequity (HI = 0.253) was found in inpatient services compared to outpatient services (HI = 0.089). Despite a greater need for health services amongst those of lower socio-economic status, their actual use is much less than their more affluent counterparts. Health service underuse by the poor and overuse by the affluent are evident. Household income disparity was the greatest inequality factor in NCD service use for both outpatients (71.3%) and inpatients (108%), more so than health insurance policies. Some medical insurance schemes, such as the MIUE, actually made a pro-rich contribution to health service inequality (16.1% for outpatient and 12.1% for inpatient).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Inequality in health services amongst NCD patients in China remains largely determined by patient financial capability. The current insurance schemes are insufficient to address this inequity. A comprehensive social policy that encompasses a more progressive taxation package and redistribution of social capital as well as pro-poor welfare is needed.
authors: Department of Social Medicine, School of Health Management, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China; Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Harbin Medical University (Daqing), Daqing, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China; Modern Health Management Technique Development and Application Laboratory, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China.
authors: Xin
authors: X
authors: Xie
authors: Department of Social Medicine, School of Health Management, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China; Modern Health Management Technique Development and Application Laboratory, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China.
authors: Qunhong
authors: Q
authors: Wu
authors: Department of Social Medicine, School of Health Management, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China; Modern Health Management Technique Development and Application Laboratory, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China.
authors: Yanhua
authors: Y
authors: Hao
authors: Department of Social Medicine, School of Health Management, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China; Modern Health Management Technique Development and Application Laboratory, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China.
authors: Hui
authors: H
authors: Yin
authors: Department of Social Medicine, School of Health Management, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China; Modern Health Management Technique Development and Application Laboratory, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China.
authors: Wenqi
authors: W
authors: Fu
authors: Department of Social Medicine, School of Health Management, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China; Modern Health Management Technique Development and Application Laboratory, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China.
authors: Ning
authors: N
authors: Ning
authors: Centre of Health Statistics and Information, Ministry of Health, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
authors: Ling
authors: L
authors: Xu
authors: School of Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne Victoria, Australia.
authors: Chaojie
authors: C
authors: Liu
authors: Department of Social Medicine, School of Health Management, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China; Modern Health Management Technique Development and Application Laboratory, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China.
authors: Ye
authors: Y
authors: Li
authors: Department of Social Medicine, School of Health Management, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China; Modern Health Management Technique Development and Application Laboratory, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China.
authors: Zheng
authors: Z
authors: Kang
authors: Department of Social Medicine, School of Health Management, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China.
authors: Changzhi
authors: C
authors: He
authors: Department of Social Medicine, School of Health Management, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China; Modern Health Management Technique Development and Application Laboratory, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China.
authors: Guoxiang
authors: G
authors: Liu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006296:Health Services; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult