European journal of public health
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Eur J Public Health · Dec 2001
Comparative StudyImpact of private funding on access to elective hospital treatment in the regions of England and Wales. National records survey.
The UK National Health Service aims to match access to health care to the level of need and to reduce inequalities in the health of sub-populations. One in ten persons have private medical insurance (PMI). This study describes the impact of private purchasing on access to hospital care in regions according to health need. ⋯ Regionally, NHS resources and activity match need. Private hospital use complements lower levels of NHS service. Private consumption does not distort access according to need but in regions with lower levels of NHS activity those least deprived may make relatively more use of NHS hospitals, thus widening the health gap. Small area studies should explore this.
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Eur J Public Health · Dec 2001
Comparative StudyThe burden of community-acquired pneumonia in Spain.
Community-acquired pneumonia accounts for a large number of hospitalizations and deaths in developed countries. ⋯ Community-acquired pneumonia accounts for 53,000 hospitalizations per year in Spain, and this imposes a large economic cost on the National Health-care System.