Healthcare utilization is increased in children living in urban areas, with ethnicity-related disparities: A big data...

This study aimed to investigate differences in pediatric healthcare utilization in Israel over 10 years by examining differences across populations defined by living environment and ethnicity. Data was obtained from the Clalit Health Care data warehouse, covering over 250,000 children residing in Haifa and Western Galilee districts. The population groups were categorized based on ethnicity (Jewish vs Arab) and residential settings (urban vs rural). Healthcare utilization was consistently higher among Jewish than Arab children, irrespective of the specific dimension analyzed. Additionally, urban-dwelling children exhibited higher usage rates than those residing in rural areas in all investigated dimensions. However, Jewish children showed significantly about 18% lower hospitalization rates than Arab children across all years (P < 0.001). No significant differences in hospitalizations were observed between urban and rural children (RR 0.999, CI (0.987-1.011)). Notably, the study revealed reduced antibiotic consumption and hospitalizations over the years for all populations. Additionally, we found that Arab children and those living in rural areas had reduced access to healthcare, as evidenced by 10-40% fewer physician visits, laboratory tests, and imaging (P < 0.001).    Conclusion: This study highlights the substantial population-based disparities in healthcare utilization among children in Israel despite the equalizing effect of the national health insurance law. Rural and low socioeconomic populations seem to have reduced healthcare access, showing decreased healthcare utilization. Consequently, it is imperative to address these disparities and implement targeted interventions to enhance healthcare access for Arab children and rural communities. The decline in antibiotic usage and hospitalizations suggests positive trends in pediatric health care, necessitating ongoing efforts to ensure equitable access and quality of care for all populations. What is Known: • Healthcare systems worldwide vary in coverage and accessibility, including Israel, which stands out for its diverse population. • Existing research primarily focuses on healthcare utilization among adults, leaving a need for comprehensive data on children's healthcare patterns globally. What is New: • Investigating over 250,000 children, this study reveals higher healthcare utilization among Jewish and urban children across all dimensions. • Despite Israel's national health insurance law, the study underscores the significant population-based disparities in healthcare utilization.