Pierrakos, G.; Goula, A.; Latsou, D. Predictors of Unmet Healthcare Needs during Economic and Health Crisis in Greece. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health2023, 20, 6840.
Pierrakos, G.; Goula, A.; Latsou, D. Predictors of Unmet Healthcare Needs during Economic and Health Crisis in Greece. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20, 6840.
Pierrakos, G.; Goula, A.; Latsou, D. Predictors of Unmet Healthcare Needs during Economic and Health Crisis in Greece. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health2023, 20, 6840.
Pierrakos, G.; Goula, A.; Latsou, D. Predictors of Unmet Healthcare Needs during Economic and Health Crisis in Greece. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20, 6840.
Abstract
(1) Background: The aim of this study was to identify predictors of the unmet health care needs during the financial and recent health crisis in Greece. (2) Methods: Time series analysis was performed for the years 2008 through 2022 using the Eurostat database. The dependent variable was the percentage of people who reported unmet need for medical care. Demographic, socioeconomic and health data as well as health expenditures were used as independent variables. Correlation analysis and simple linear regression models were conducted to analyze the results. (3) Results: Unmet health needs in Greece increased from the start of the crisis until 2016, as a gradual de-escalation of the crisis is observed. However, in 2019 the country recorded the second highest level of unmet needs for medical care before the health crisis. People with limitations in usual activities, those who report bad/very bad health status, unemployed and with low-income increased the likelihood of unmet needs. Health expenditures (public or private) were also significant determinants of unmet healthcare needs. (4) Conclusions: The increased unmet health needs widen inequalities in health and healthcare access. Therefore, health policy should eliminate barriers which restrict the access to health and enhance healthcare services, developing conditions for citizens' well-being.
Keywords
healthcare; unmet healthcare needs; economic crisis; health crisis; Greece
Subject
Public Health and Healthcare, Health Policy and Services
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
