Socioeconomic Distribution of Health and Health Care Utilization in a New Town in Hong Kong, China

TAK SUN IGNATIUS YU; TZE WAI WONG

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Volume 17 Issue 2

Jun. 2004

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Article Navigation > Biomedical and Environmental Sciences > 2004 > 17(2): 234-245

TAK SUN IGNATIUS YU, TZE WAI WONG. Socioeconomic Distribution of Health and Health Care Utilization in a New Town in Hong Kong, China[J]. Biomedical and Environmental Sciences, 2004, 17(2): 234-245.

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TAK SUN IGNATIUS YU, TZE WAI WONG. Socioeconomic Distribution of Health and Health Care Utilization in a New Town in Hong Kong, China[J]. Biomedical and Environmental Sciences, 2004, 17(2): 234-245.

Socioeconomic Distribution of Health and Health Care Utilization in a New Town in Hong Kong, China

Department of Community and Family Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N. T., Hong Kong SAR, China

Funds: This study was support by a grant from the Social Service Committee of the Tai Po District Board

Abstract

Objectives To assess the association of socioeconomic indicators with various chronic and acute illnesses and the utilization of public health care in a new town in Hong Kong, China. Methods Illness experience and socioeconomic and demographic data of 7570 residents from 2022 randomly selected households were collected through telephone interviews. The relationships between socioeconomic indicators and illnesses/choice of health care were explored using stepwise logistic regressions after adjusting for sex and age. Results Significant positive associations were noted between low household income and diabetes mellitus, any chronic illnesses among adults and flu among younger subjects; low educational level and accident-related illness among adults; being born in Chinese mainland and flu, any acute illness in adults. For the utilization of public health care, low household income was the most consistent risk factor. Conclusion This study did not demonstrate a unidirectional socioeconomic gradient in health but supported the hypothesis that socioeconomic deprivation was associated with the utilization of public health care.
- Socioeconomic indicators,
- Health status,
- Health care need,
- Health care utilization
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通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com

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沈阳化工大学材料科学与工程学院沈阳 110142

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Socioeconomic Distribution of Health and Health Care Utilization in a New Town in Hong Kong, China

Department of Community and Family Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N. T., Hong Kong SAR, China

Funds: This study was support by a grant from the Social Service Committee of the Tai Po District Board

Key words:

Abstract: Objectives To assess the association of socioeconomic indicators with various chronic and acute illnesses and the utilization of public health care in a new town in Hong Kong, China. Methods Illness experience and socioeconomic and demographic data of 7570 residents from 2022 randomly selected households were collected through telephone interviews. The relationships between socioeconomic indicators and illnesses/choice of health care were explored using stepwise logistic regressions after adjusting for sex and age. Results Significant positive associations were noted between low household income and diabetes mellitus, any chronic illnesses among adults and flu among younger subjects; low educational level and accident-related illness among adults; being born in Chinese mainland and flu, any acute illness in adults. For the utilization of public health care, low household income was the most consistent risk factor. Conclusion This study did not demonstrate a unidirectional socioeconomic gradient in health but supported the hypothesis that socioeconomic deprivation was associated with the utilization of public health care.

TAK SUN IGNATIUS YU, TZE WAI WONG. Socioeconomic Distribution of Health and Health Care Utilization in a New Town in Hong Kong, China[J]. Biomedical and Environmental Sciences, 2004, 17(2): 234-245.

Citation: