M. Shanahan et C. Gousseau, Using the POPULIS framework for interprovincial comparisons of expenditures on health care, MED CARE, 37(6), 1999, pp. JS83-JS100
Citations number
26
Categorie Soggetti
Public Health & Health Care Science","Health Care Sciences & Services
OBJECTIVES. Motivated by Manitoba Health's desire to know how health spendi
ng in Manitoba compared with other provinces, this study is a descriptive p
roject designed to inform the health policy process by comparing indicators
of need and expenditure across Canada.
RESEARCH DESIGN. Population characteristics that are known to influence the
need for health care constitute the comparative data categories.
FINDINGS. In terms of all five health status indicators and five of eight s
ocioeconomic indicators, Manitoba ranked medium (fourth to seventh of 10 pr
ovinces) or average. Demographic characteristics placed Manitoba second to
Saskatchewan in proportion of both elderly residents and Registered Indians
. This is notable, because both groups traditionally have high health needs
. With provincial characteristics established, the second part of the study
compares provincial per capita health expenditure data with expected need
for health care services.
RESULTS. Overall, the study finds provincial health expenditures are not re
lated to health care need indicators. Saskatchewan is a case in point; desp
ite having similar population characteristics to Manitoba, Saskatchewan has
a population with good health status and lower health care expenditures. T
his offers a model that invites further exploration.
CONCLUSIONS. At the provincial level the amount of health care spending is
not positively related to the need for health care.