Impact of Maternal and Child Health Private Expenditure on Poverty and Inequity

Impact of Maternal and Child Health Private Expenditure on Poverty and Inequity
Author: Asian Development Bank
Publisher: Asian Development Bank
Total Pages: 67
Release: 2012-12-01
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9290929758

The Government of Bangladesh has made it a priority to expand access by the poor to maternal, neonatal, and child health (MNCH) services. Central to its strategy is the provision of healthcare services at free or nearly free prices through Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) facilities. However, poor families make less use of MOHFW services than the non-poor, and many patients are reported to incur significant costs at MOHFW facilities. The Patient Exit Survey (PES) 2011 carried out exit interviews of over 5,000 inpatients and outpatients at a representative sample of MOHFW facilities in order to find out why patients incur out-of-pocket expenses at MOHFW facilities, to quantify their size, and to assess the impact of demand-side financing (DSF) pilot schemes on patient out-of-pocket costs and utilization of MNCH services. Almost all outpatients and inpatients report out-of-pocket expenses associated with their healthcare visits. These fall into four categories: (i) travel costs to reach the healthcare institution, (ii) official fees charged by MOHFW facilities, (iii) informal or unofficial fees paid to persons inside the facility to obtain services or other benefits, and (iv) the costs of purchasing medicines recommended by the medical staff that which are not available at the health facility. The major out-of-pocket expense reported is purchasing medicines and supplies that are recommended by medical staff but are not available at the facility. About 50% of outpatients and over 90% of inpatients report such costs, which average Tk301 per outpatient and Tk980 per inpatient. Travel costs to the facility average Tk27 for outpatients and Tk131 for inpatients, however, travel costs for expectant mothers are much higher and average Tk220. About 50% of outpatients and 75% of inpatients report having to pay official fees, with inpatient women who had delivered, reporting higher-than-average fees. The incidence of informal payments is much lower than anticipated, with most outpatients reporting no such expenses. There have been large increases since 2006 in facility childbirths at facilities enrolled in the DSF schemes, with the greatest impact seen in those enrolled in the universal DSF schemes. However, findings show that the DSF actual out-of-pocket costs incurred at the time of treatment are no lower at DSF enrolled facilities, and that equity of utilization does not seem to have been improved.

Impact of Maternal and Child Health Private Expenditure on Poverty and Inequity in Bangladesh

Impact of Maternal and Child Health Private Expenditure on Poverty and Inequity in Bangladesh
Author: Asian Development Bank
Publisher: Asian Development Bank
Total Pages: 59
Release: 2012-12-01
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9290929774

The Government of Bangladesh has made it a priority to expand access to maternal, neonatal, and child health (MNCH) services. However, healthcare services in Bangladesh are predominantly financed through household out-of-pocket expenditures. This study used a number of different data sources and innovative methods to determine overall expenditures on MNCH treatment, and how they are financed. Total expenditure on MNCH patient services is estimated at Taka 17.3 billion in fiscal year 2007, which represents 12% of total recurrent expenditures on health. Of this expenditure, 60% was for treating children under the age of 5 years, and only 28% was for childbirth care. In terms of financing, the government financed only 28% of this expenditure. More than two- thirds of MNCH expenditures in 2006-2007 was financed through household out-of-pocket spending, most of which was spent on purchasing medicines and other commodities from private pharmacies. The findings suggest the need for substantial increases in public funding of MNCH services, with the prioritization of increased funding to childbirth care and improving the availability of medicines at MOHFW facilities

Impact of Maternal and Child Health Private Expenditure on Poverty and Inequity: Review of the Literature on the Extent and Mechanisms by which

Impact of Maternal and Child Health Private Expenditure on Poverty and Inequity: Review of the Literature on the Extent and Mechanisms by which
Author: Asian Development Bank
Publisher: Asian Development Bank
Total Pages: 198
Release: 2012-12-01
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9290929715

Reducing the burden of poor maternal, neonatal, and child health ill-health requires improvements in both the supply and use of effective maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) services. The financial costs of treatment are known globally to be a major barrier to accessing essential care, potentially imposing considerable burdens on households. To find out what was known about the scale and impact on families of out-of-pocket expenditures in accessing MNCH care in the Asia-Pacific region, this study undertook a systematic review of the global and regional evidence. The findings show that despite significant progress in improving coverage in the region, millions of families in the region continue to face financial barriers to accessing essential MNCH care, and experience significant financial hardships as a result of out-of-pocket payments. It points to areas where the research needs to be improved both methodologically and in terms of geographical coverage, and where better policies might make a difference.

Communities in Action

Communities in Action
Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 583
Release: 2017-04-27
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0309452961

In the United States, some populations suffer from far greater disparities in health than others. Those disparities are caused not only by fundamental differences in health status across segments of the population, but also because of inequities in factors that impact health status, so-called determinants of health. Only part of an individual's health status depends on his or her behavior and choice; community-wide problems like poverty, unemployment, poor education, inadequate housing, poor public transportation, interpersonal violence, and decaying neighborhoods also contribute to health inequities, as well as the historic and ongoing interplay of structures, policies, and norms that shape lives. When these factors are not optimal in a community, it does not mean they are intractable: such inequities can be mitigated by social policies that can shape health in powerful ways. Communities in Action: Pathways to Health Equity seeks to delineate the causes of and the solutions to health inequities in the United States. This report focuses on what communities can do to promote health equity, what actions are needed by the many and varied stakeholders that are part of communities or support them, as well as the root causes and structural barriers that need to be overcome.

A Roadmap to Reducing Child Poverty

A Roadmap to Reducing Child Poverty
Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 619
Release: 2019-09-16
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 0309483980

The strengths and abilities children develop from infancy through adolescence are crucial for their physical, emotional, and cognitive growth, which in turn help them to achieve success in school and to become responsible, economically self-sufficient, and healthy adults. Capable, responsible, and healthy adults are clearly the foundation of a well-functioning and prosperous society, yet America's future is not as secure as it could be because millions of American children live in families with incomes below the poverty line. A wealth of evidence suggests that a lack of adequate economic resources for families with children compromises these children's ability to grow and achieve adult success, hurting them and the broader society. A Roadmap to Reducing Child Poverty reviews the research on linkages between child poverty and child well-being, and analyzes the poverty-reducing effects of major assistance programs directed at children and families. This report also provides policy and program recommendations for reducing the number of children living in poverty in the United States by half within 10 years.

Disease Control Priorities, Third Edition (Volume 2)

Disease Control Priorities, Third Edition (Volume 2)
Author: Robert Black
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Total Pages: 419
Release: 2016-04-11
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1464803684

The evaluation of reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health (RMNCH) by the Disease Control Priorities, Third Edition (DCP3) focuses on maternal conditions, childhood illness, and malnutrition. Specifically, the chapters address acute illness and undernutrition in children, principally under age 5. It also covers maternal mortality, morbidity, stillbirth, and influences to pregnancy and pre-pregnancy. Volume 3 focuses on developments since the publication of DCP2 and will also include the transition to older childhood, in particular, the overlap and commonality with the child development volume. The DCP3 evaluation of these conditions produced three key findings: 1. There is significant difficulty in measuring the burden of key conditions such as unintended pregnancy, unsafe abortion, nonsexually transmitted infections, infertility, and violence against women. 2. Investments in the continuum of care can have significant returns for improved and equitable access, health, poverty, and health systems. 3. There is a large difference in how RMNCH conditions affect different income groups; investments in RMNCH can lessen the disparity in terms of both health and financial risk.

Key Policies for Addressing the Social Determinants of Health and Health Inequities

Key Policies for Addressing the Social Determinants of Health and Health Inequities
Author: Matthew Saunders
Publisher: World Health Organization
Total Pages: 92
Release: 2017-09-27
Genre: Law
ISBN: 9289052651

Evidence indicates that actions within four main themes (early child development fair employment and decent work social protection and the living environment) are likely to have the greatest impact on the social determinants of health and health inequities. A systematic search and analysis of recommendations and policy guidelines from intergovernmental organizations and international bodies identified practical policy options for action on social determinants within these four themes. Policy options focused on early childhood education and care; child poverty; investment strategies for an inclusive economy; active labour market programmes; working conditions; social cash transfers; affordable housing; and planning and regulatory mechanisms to improve air quality and mitigate climate change. Applying combinations of these policy options alongside effective governance for health equity should enable WHO European Region Member States to reduce health inequities and synergize efforts to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The State of the World's Children 2009

The State of the World's Children 2009
Author: UNICEF.
Publisher: UNICEF
Total Pages: 168
Release: 2008
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9280643185

Having a child remains one of the biggest health risks for women worldwide. Fifteen hundred women die every day while giving birth. That's a half a million mothers every year. UNICEF's flagship publication, The State of the World's Children 2009, addresses maternal mortality, one of the most intractable problems for development work.The difference in pregnancy risk between women in developing countries and their peers in the industrialised world is often termed the greatest health divide in the world. A woman in Niger has a one in seven chance of dying during the course of her lifetime from complications during pregnancy or delivery. That's in stark contrast to the risk for mothers in America, where it's one in 4,800 or in Ireland, where it's just one in 48,000. Addressing that gap is a multidisciplinary challenge, requiring an emphasis on education, human resources, community involvement and social equality. At a minimum, women must be guaranteed antenatal care, skilled birth attendants and emergency obstetrics, and postpartum care. These essential interventions will only be guaranteed within the context of improved education and the abolition of discrimination.

Global Health and the Future Role of the United States

Global Health and the Future Role of the United States
Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 385
Release: 2017-10-05
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0309457637

While much progress has been made on achieving the Millenium Development Goals over the last decade, the number and complexity of global health challenges has persisted. Growing forces for globalization have increased the interconnectedness of the world and our interdependency on other countries, economies, and cultures. Monumental growth in international travel and trade have brought improved access to goods and services for many, but also carry ongoing and ever-present threats of zoonotic spillover and infectious disease outbreaks that threaten all. Global Health and the Future Role of the United States identifies global health priorities in light of current and emerging world threats. This report assesses the current global health landscape and how challenges, actions, and players have evolved over the last decade across a wide range of issues, and provides recommendations on how to increase responsiveness, coordination, and efficiency â€" both within the U.S. government and across the global health field.