Gender differences in health expenditure determinants: A follow-up study

Health Care Women Int. 2019 Jan;40(1):33-46. doi: 10.1080/07399332.2018.1445252. Epub 2018 Apr 3.

Abstract

Researchers' aim was to investigate if patients/physicians characteristics could differently affect males/females health care expenditure. In 2009/2010, a health-related-quality-of-life (HRQL) measure was distributed to 887 general practitioners' (GP) patients in Siena's province-Italy. Severity of diseases was calculated through Cumulative Illness Rating Scale Severity Index (CIRS-SI). Information about GPs' gender and age and patients' gender, age, and socio-economic variables were recorded. 2012 data about pharmaceutical, outpatient and hospital expenditure were obtained. Multivariate regression was carried out. In males, hospital expenditure increased with higher CIRS-SI and female GP whilst in females it was not influenced by any of the variables. Outpatient and pharmaceutical expenditure increased with aging, higher CIRS-SI, and lower HRQL and education, both in males and females. Gender differences in health expenditure determinants emerged for hospital expenditure.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aging
  • Drug Costs / statistics & numerical data*
  • Drug Prescriptions / economics*
  • Drug Prescriptions / statistics & numerical data
  • Drug Therapy / economics
  • Female
  • General Practice
  • General Practitioners
  • Health Care Surveys
  • Health Expenditures / statistics & numerical data*
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Length of Stay / economics*
  • Length of Stay / statistics & numerical data
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Quality of Life*
  • Socioeconomic Factors