Assessing regional disparities and trends in health resource allocation from sub-provincial cities in China.

BACKGROUND

To analyze the regional disparities and trends in health resource allocation in sub-provincial cities, to inform strategies for achieving equitable health resource allocation across sub-provincial cities.

METHODS

Dagum Gini coefficient and kernel density estimation based on the health resource density index were used to analyze the regional disparities and trends in health resource allocation in sub-provincial cities from 2018 to 2022.

RESULTS

The overall Gini coefficient of health expenditure is the highest, above 0.373. The differences in health expenditure are larger in the eastern region, and smaller in the central and western regions in terms of medical and health institutions, number of beds, health technicians, licensed (assistant) physicians and registered nurses. The inter-regional contribution rate is the main source of differences, with the lowest value of the inter-regional contribution rate being 45.08% of health expenditure in 2020 and the highest value being 67.60% of licensed (assistant) physicians in 2020. The longer and longer right trailing tail of the health expenditure kernel density curve indicates a significant difference in health expenditure. The kernel density curves of health expenditure and medical and health institutions have a multi-peaked distribution, indicating a low degree of equalization, while the rest of the distribution of health resources is relatively more balanced.

CONCLUSION

Health resources in sub-provincial cities have continued to grow. Sub-provincial cities have a more balanced distribution of health resources, but there are significant differences in health expenditure. Inter-regional differences are the main cause of differences in health resource allocation in sub-provincial cities.