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Probability of Illness and Inequality in Medical Expenditures of Urban and Rural Residents

Xiang-sen, Lin. (2007). Probability of Illness and Inequality in Medical Expenditures of Urban and Rural Residents. Journal of Huazhong University of Science and Technology (Social Science Edition).

Xiang-sen, Lin. (2007). Probability of Illness and Inequality in Medical Expenditures of Urban and Rural Residents. Journal of Huazhong University of Science and Technology (Social Science Edition).

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This paper first demonstrates the extent of inequality in the medical expenditures of urban and rural residents in China,employing two popular measurements in existing literatures.Observing the defects of these two measuring methods,we suggest that the difference in probability of getting sick should be taken into account when the extent of inequality is measured.Using the survey data of China Health and Nutrition Survey in 2000,it is found that the probability of illness of rural residents is lower than that of urban residents by 1.6 percentage,which is a result of the urban/rural differences in such aspects as medical facilities,living style,environment,etc..Based upon this empirical analysis,it is concluded that the existing measurement of inequality in medical expenditures overestimates the actual extent of inequality by 20%.




JOUR



Xiang-sen, Lin



2007


Journal of Huazhong University of Science and Technology (Social Science Edition)













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