EQUITY IN THE UTILIZATION OF MEDICAL-SERVICES - A SURVEY IN POOR RURAL CHINA

In this article, the sample population is divided into three groups on the basis of per capita household income. Limited evidence is found o f differential use of outpatient services between these groups, while there is greater variation in the use of inpatient care. The article c oncludes that the relatively equal access to health care that existed before the economic reform programme has been eroded as inequality in household incomes has increased. In particular, there has been a consi derable impact on access to inpatient services by poor households, for whom health care expenditure may exceed total annual income.