The Bambuí Health and Aging Study (BHAS): private health plan and medical care utilization by older adults

Cadernos de Saúde Pública

Maria Fernanda F. Lima-costa¹  Henrique L. Guerra¹  Josélia O. A. Firmo¹  Pedro G. Vidigal¹  Elizabeth Uchoa¹  Sandhi M. Barreto¹ 

[1] ,Fundação Oswaldo Cruz Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou Núcleo de Estudos em Epidemiologia e Antropologia do EnvelhecimentoBelo Horizonte MG ,Brasil

关键词: Aged;    Drugs;    Health Services;    Idoso;    Medicamento;    Serviços de Saúde;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S0102-311X2002000100018

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

The aim of this cross sectional study was to investigate whether holding a private health plan affects the consumption of medical services (hospitalization and visits to a doctor) and use of medications by older adults. All residents in Bambuí town (Minas Gerais, Brazil) aged> or =60 years (n = 1,742) were selected. From these, 92.2% were interviewed and 85.9% were examined (blood tests and physical measurements). After adjustments for counfounders, those under exclusive public coverage (n = 1,296), compared with those holding a private health plan (n = 310), presented some evidence of having worse health status, reported less visits to a doctor, and used a small number of prescribed medications. The main explanation for the aged holding a private health plan was economic, not health. Even though those who had only public health coverage complained more in relation to medical care (70.9%), an important proportion of the aged with a private health care plan presented some kind of complaint (45.2%). Another worrying factor was the difficulty to acquire medication because of financial problems (47.2 and 25.2% reported, respectively). Further investigations are needed to verify whether our results can be generalized to other communities of the country.

【 授权许可】

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