Catastrophic Health Expenditure of Chronic Diseases: Evidence from Hamadan, Iran
Aziz Rezapour1,1, Sajad Vahedi2, Farzad Faraji Khiavi3
1Health Management and Economics Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Insights
Chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) significantly increase the risk of catastrophic health expenditure (CHE). Households with NCDs face higher CHE incidence and intensity, highlighting the need for improved health-care financing and socioeconomic support.
Area of Science:
- Health Economics
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) pose a significant risk for catastrophic health expenditure (CHE).
- Understanding CHE in households with and without NCDs is crucial for health system planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze and compare catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) among households with and without chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in Hamedan.
- To identify factors associated with CHE in households affected by chronic NCDs.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 780 households in Hamedan, selected via proportional stratified random sampling.
- Data collected through interviews and WHO standard questionnaires.
- CHE analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics with various approaches and thresholds.
Main Results:
- Households with chronic NCDs exhibited higher incidence and intensity of CHE across all analytical approaches.
- Regression analysis indicated that lower economic status, smaller household size, and high healthcare utilization were linked to CHE in NCD households.
- Distributive-sensitive measures confirmed these findings.
Conclusions:
- Chronic NCDs are a major driver of catastrophic health expenditure.
- Revising health-care financing and addressing socioeconomic factors are essential for mitigating financial burdens associated with NCDs in Iran's health system.
Background:
Chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) could increase the risk of catastrophic health expenditure (CHE). The present study aims to analyze CHE among households with and without chronic NCDs in Hamedan.
Methods:
In this cross-sectional study, 780 households' patients, who were being discharged from hospitals in Hamedan, were selected using a proportional stratified random sampling method. Required data were collected through interview and observation using World Health Organization standard questionnaire. A household with chronic NCDs is defined as the one with ≥1 chronic disease patient. Both descriptive and analytical statistics, as well as different approaches and thresholds, were used to study CHE among households.
Results:
The households with chronic disease had higher incidence and intensity of CHE in all approaches and threshold. This result was shown through distributive-sensitive measures. The Regression analysis revealed that lower economic status, lower household size, and high utilization of health care were associated with the CHE incidence and intensity in the households with chronic NCDs in Hamedan.
Conclusions:
There is a high degree of CHE were caused by chronic NCDs. By thoughtful reconsideration in health-care financing, along with addressing relevant socioeconomic factors, the health system of Iran could cope with financial adversities caused by chronic NCDs.
Related Concept Videos
02:55The Evidence for Evolution
01:24Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...
01:25Chronic Kidney Disease I: Introduction
01:20Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction
01:29Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-V: Management
Smoking Cessation
01:24Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations