India: Public and Private spending on Health
Posted by Alex M Thomas on July 15, 2007
The following three maps will show us that, though the spending in health by the private sector is comparatively much larger than the public sector, yet HIV prevalence is very high in India.
This shows the dire need for targeted public investment in health care. This is because private sector investment does not extend to the rural areas and regions with low purchasing power. [Investment is a part of spending]
Public Health Spending
Territory size shows the proportion of worldwide spending on public health services that is spent there. This spending is measured in purchasing power parity.
HIV Prevalence
Territory size shows the proportion of all people aged 15-49 with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) worldwide, living there.
Private Health Spending
Territory size shows the proportion of worldwide private spending on health services that is spent there. This spending is measured in purchasing power parity.
Source: Worldmapper
[Cross posted @ Krish World]
July 15, 2007 at 7:13 pm
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July 16, 2007 at 8:12 am
//This is because private sector spending does not extend to the rural areas and regions with low purchasing power.//
before making such conclusions, its important to understand the manner in which data has been calculated. Private health spending is not INVESTMENT in healthcare facilities (ie hospitals beds etc), rather it is the out of pocked expenses borne by the patient, either through insurance or without insurance.
In this case, private expenditure is possible only to those who have the purchasing power, and is out of reach of the majority. The problem with private health expenditure is that it denies access to a majority, therefore public health systems have to come in.
Make those changes!!
July 16, 2007 at 8:14 am
in your conclusion, you have gotten the investment in healthcare and expenditure confused. Investment in healthcare does not extend to rural areas, while expenditure might still exist (ppl moving to urban centers for treatment).
July 19, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Vatsan,
Point noted.
The map builders have included investment in spending.
Like you said, even though people pay more, it does not necessarily mean there is a rise in private spending.[Same case of GDP too.]
August 12, 2007 at 3:47 am
I dont understand the maps.
August 16, 2007 at 3:25 pm
Aashish,
In the first map, India looks deflated which is because the public spending is very less. And in the second one, it looks inflated which is owing to the high prevalence of HIV.
August 21, 2007 at 1:56 am
[...] Undergraduate Economist has three interesting maps to consider. The first draws each country with its size proportional to [...]
October 31, 2007 at 4:40 am
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