How to measure inequality in health care delivery

Abstract

There has been an increased focus on health inequalities and equity even in developed countries over the last decade. Reducing health inequalities is an important policy objective. The origin of health inequalities and their development is a complex interplay between structural, social and individual factors influencing both population health and individual health. The study of health inequality is a vast, complex and rapidly developing field. The focus of this chapter will relate to our current understanding of the measures and dimensions of inequality in health care delivery. For areas not covered in depth in this chapter, suitable references for further reading will be provided where applicable. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2010.