Evaluation of healthcare inequality in China using CHIP 2018

This paper examines health inequality in China, focusing on disparities in healthcare costs among different population groups and regional inequalities in health expenditures. Despite significant progress towards universal health coverage, challenges remain, particularly for low-income and rural populations. The study utilizes data from the China Household Income Project (CHIP) 2018, analyzing household income, healthcare expenditures, and health status across urban and rural areas using the Concentration Index adapted for the healthcare sector. The findings reveal that rural residents spend a larger share of their income on healthcare compared to urban residents, highlighting systemic inequalities in access to health services. The Concentration Index analysis indicates high levels of inequality in health expenditure that surpass income inequality levels. The study underscores the need for targeted policy interventions to address these disparities, particularly in light of ongoing healthcare reforms aiming to improve access to healthcare services and their and affordability, and mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.