Revista española de cardiología (English ed.)
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Rev Esp Cardiol (Engl Ed) · Oct 2013
Comparative StudySocioeconomic status and health inequalities for cardiovascular prevention among elderly Spaniards.
Although it is known that social factors may introduce inequalities in cardiovascular health, data on the role of socioeconomic differences in the prescription of preventive treatment are scarce. We aimed to assess the relationship between the socioeconomic status of an elderly population at high cardiovascular risk and inequalities in receiving primary cardiovascular treatment, within the context of a universal health care system. ⋯ In our analysis, socioeconomic differences did not affect the treatment prescribed for primary cardiovascular prevention in elderly patients in Spain. Free, universal health care based on a primary care model can be effective in reducing health inequalities related to socioeconomic status.