Abstract

SAENZ-VELA, Hada M.  and  GUZMAN-GIRALDO, Ángela M.. Determinants of household health spending in Mexico. Prob. Des [online]. 2021, vol.52, n.205, pp.3-25.  Epub Aug 23, 2021. ISSN 0301-7036.  https://doi.org/10.22201/iiec.20078951e.2021.205.69644.

In Mexico, out-of-pocket and catastrophic spending are persistent across the income distribution spectrum, and a filiation with health institutions does not safeguard individuals against such possibilities. This study estimates tobit models to analyze the determinants of out-of-pocket and catastrophic health expenditures, and finds that regional, individual, and household characteristics cause heterogeneity in health spending behaviors. The data suggest that the effective use of public services reduces, albeit insufficiently, the probability of incurring excessive expenditures. Public policies should focus on health promotion and disease prevention, as well as on reducing the gaps in the quality of public health services.

Keywords : health expenditure; income distribution; public services; disease prevention; tobit models.