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A Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Eating Disorder Analysis and Diagnosis
Published on: May 10, 2022
Socioeconomic Inequities in Eating Disorder-Related Hospital Utilization Costs in Australia: A Population-Based Study
Moin Ahmed1,2, Morgan Sidari3,4, Amy Hannigan4
1MAINSTREAM The Australian National Centre for Health System Research and Translation, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
The International Journal of Eating Disorders
|August 3, 2026
Summary
Socioeconomic inequities in eating disorder (ED) hospital costs varied by care type and year. Private ED care costs favored higher socioeconomic status (SES), while emergency department visits favored lower SES, highlighting access disparities.
Area of Science:
- Health Economics
- Public Health
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Eating disorders (EDs) represent a significant public health concern with substantial healthcare utilization costs.
- Understanding socioeconomic disparities in accessing and affording ED treatment is crucial for equitable healthcare delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate socioeconomic inequities in hospital usage costs for eating disorder (ED) care in Queensland (QLD) from 2013 to 2019.
- To analyze trends in these inequities and identify associated socioeconomic factors.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the horizontal inequity (HI) approach to quantify socioeconomic disparities in healthcare costs.
- Analyzed public and private hospital admission costs and emergency department (ED) visit costs.
- Employed two-part regression models to identify factors associated with cost inequities.
Main Results:
- Significant pro-rich inequity in public hospital ED care costs observed in 2013 and 2017, diminishing by 2018-2019.
- Consistent pro-rich inequity in private hospital ED care costs from 2014-2019.
- Emergency department visit costs for EDs were concentrated among lower socioeconomic status (SES) individuals, with higher costs for those in regional/remote areas.
- Individuals from high SES incurred substantially higher annual private hospital admission costs for EDs compared to those from low SES.
Conclusions:
- Findings indicate persistent socioeconomic inequities in ED healthcare costs, necessitating targeted policy interventions.
- Service delivery reforms are needed to address unmet needs and promote equitable access, especially for disadvantaged populations.
- Continued prioritization of equitable access to hospital-based ED care is essential for policymakers.
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