Inequality of the services received by individuals: a suggested index and an illustrative application.

Population groups that are homogeneous with respect to such factors as insurance status, income level, and proximity to sources of care can still exhibit great internal inequality in the amount of care received by individuals. A statistical measure of this inequality is proposed and its application illustrated on employee groups living in two underdoctored areas. Utilization of physician services in these areas was found to be significantly less equal (as well as lower) than in comparable groups who live in areas with higher ratio of physicians to total population.