Interpreting inequalities in the Hungarian health system

Abstract

In reviewing the Hungarian situation it is said that the ideals of a higher living standard and economic security have a much broader appeal in public opinion than equality. The impacts of state intervention to reduce inequalities are reduced by several factors such as the tipping system and centralization. Official statistics do not entirely shed light on prevailing inequities in health, in particular those related to phenomena outside the health system, i.e. there is a heavy biomedical bias. Some contradictory developments are identified. One of these is that successful factories have created independent industrial health care services for their workers which not infrequently provide a higher quality of care than the state system. Furthermore, sociology has not played that generalizing and integrating function in the uncovering of inequalities in health as it has in Western countries. One of the rare sociological studies in the field shows that the population considers health only fourth among other desired values. Due to the increase in mortality, the issue of health has recently become more focused in the public debate. In general, this paper considers that the health system conforms with other Hungarian social realities in the realm of economics and politics as well as in value-orientation. This has been reflected in the recently reorganized ministry that now also comprises social welfare.