Journal of epidemiology and community health
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J Epidemiol Community Health · Jun 2003
Socioeconomic disparities in health care use: Does universal coverage reduce inequalities in health?
Despite enormous public sector expenditures, the effectiveness of universal coverage for health care in reducing socioeconomic disparities in health has received little attention. ⋯ Universal coverage of family physician and hospital services ameliorate the socioeconomic differences in mortality. However, specialist services are underused in lower socioeconomic groups, bearing the potential to widen the socioeconomic gap in health.