Ardeshir Sepehri1. 1. Professor, Department of Economics University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Income and regional gradients in being without a regular family doctor have been reported. The study objective was to assess the extent to which the slopes of both income and regional gradients vary by individuals' health needs. METHOD: Using the Canadian Community Health Survey and multivariate regression analyses, the study examined the income and interprovincial variations in potential access among the healthy and less healthy populations. RESULTS: The presence of chronic conditions was associated with lower variations in income-related potential access, with the income gradient flattening at the second-lowest income category. Similarly, the presence of two or more chronic conditions flattened interprovincial variations in potential access. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest a greater equity in having a regular doctor on the basis of need. Systemic changes might be needed to enhance potential access among the vulnerable segment of the population.
OBJECTIVE: Income and regional gradients in being without a regular family doctor have been reported. The study objective was to assess the extent to which the slopes of both income and regional gradients vary by individuals' health needs. METHOD: Using the Canadian Community Health Survey and multivariate regression analyses, the study examined the income and interprovincial variations in potential access among the healthy and less healthy populations. RESULTS: The presence of chronic conditions was associated with lower variations in income-related potential access, with the income gradient flattening at the second-lowest income category. Similarly, the presence of two or more chronic conditions flattened interprovincial variations in potential access. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest a greater equity in having a regular doctor on the basis of need. Systemic changes might be needed to enhance potential access among the vulnerable segment of the population.