This presentation will deal with gender related inequalities in access to health care reported in six countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. Specific attention will be given to associations observed between these differentials and the new health financing systems being introduced throughout the Region.
The evidence derives from six research projects sponsored by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), conducted in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Jamaica/Barbados. Although conducted independently, the six projects shared the same substantive objectives and relied heavily on secondary data derived from multipurpose household surveys.
The research objectives were to identify and measure in each country: - gender differentials in health care coverage, utilization, and out-of-pocket expenditure. - barriers to gender equitable access to health care - macro and micro determinants of gender inequality in health care utilization - gender differentials associated with coverage and utilization of different health care schemes
Although the projects focused on gender inequalities, explicit recognition and analysis were made regarding the interaction of gender with other social categories, such as those defined by socioeconomic status, rural-urban residence, and age. The accent on gender is coherent with PAHO's commitment to reduce social inequities including this frequently overlooked dimension.
The data sources included but were not restricted to household surveys (employment, expenditure, living conditions, etc.) with information on health status, health care utilization, and health expenditure. Descriptive and logistic regression models were used in each case.
Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to identify the main gender related inequities in acces and utilization of health care services in Latin America and the Caribbean
Keywords: Gender, Latin American
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.