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. 2020 Sep 22:78:86.
doi: 10.1186/s13690-020-00474-3. eCollection 2020.

Current situation and distribution equality of public health resource in China

Honghui Yao  1 , Chaohong Zhan  2 , Xinping Sha  3   4
Affiliations

Current situation and distribution equality of public health resource in China

Honghui Yao et al. Arch Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: The public health system has been developed in China for several years while no research explores its distribution. This research aims to describe the variation and equality of public health allocation from 2013 to 2018 and explore the source of inequality.

Methods: Data in this research was obtained from the China Health Statistics Yearbook 2014 to 2019 and the China Statistical Yearbook 2019. Four indicators were chosen in describing the development and current situation of the public health system. Three of them were used to evaluate allocation equality. 31 provinces were categorized into western, middle, and eastern groups based on geographical and economic conditions. Total allocation equality, inter- and intra-difference were all measured by the Theil index.

Results: All indicators showed a stably upwards trend except for the number of public health institutions. The allocation gap of the public health institution per km2 was larger than that per 10,000 capita. Theil index of three indicators continually rose from 2013 to 2018 and the inequality of public health institutions allocation was the highest one. The western region had the highest Theil index in technical personnel and beds allocation. Among the three regions, the western region contributed most to inequality.

Conclusions: The public health workforces and institutions are still under the requirement of the National Medical and Health Service System Plan. From 2013 to 2018, the equality of public health resources stably decreases, which is mainly contributed by the internal difference within the western region. Further research should be done to explore the possible cause of the results. Problems founded in this research should be solved by multisectoral cooperation.

Keywords: Inequality; Public health resource; Theil.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interestsThe authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Theil index of public health resources allocation from 2013 to 2018
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Theil index of three public health resources allocation from 2013 to 2018 (a, b, c)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Contribution rate for Theil index of three public health resources allocation from 2013 to 2018 (a, b, c)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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