What Interventions Work to Reduce Cost Barriers to Primary Healthcare in High-Income Countries? A Systematic Review.

High-income countries like Aotearoa New Zealand are grappling with inequitable access to healthcare services. Out-of-pocket payments can lead to the reduced use of appropriate healthcare services, poorer health outcomes, and catastrophic health expenses. To advance our knowledge, this systematic review asks, "What interventions aim to reduce cost barriers for health users when accessing primary healthcare in high-income countries?" The search strategy comprised three bibliographic databases (Dimensions, Embase, and Medline Web of Science).

Consensus Guidelines for the Use of Vosoritide in Children with Achondroplasia in Australia.

Background: Achondroplasia, the most prevalent skeletal dysplasia, stems from a functional mutation in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 gene, leading to growth impairment. This condition presents multifaceted medical, functional and psychosocial challenges throughout childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Current management strategies aim to minimise medical complications, optimise functional capabilities and provide comprehensive supportive care.

Consequences of cost barriers to prescriptions: cohort study in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Aims: A NZ$5 co-payment prescription charge was removed in July 2023 but may be reinstated. Here we quantify the health impact and cost of not being able to afford this charge.

Methods: We linked New Zealand Health Surveys (2013/2014-2018/2019) to hospitalisation data using data available in Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI).

"Closed books": restrictions to primary healthcare access in Aotearoa New Zealand-reporting results from a survey across general practices.

Aim: In Aotearoa New Zealand, primary care is organised by enrolling patients with a primary care provider. However, the benefits of this arrangement are frustrated when providers "close their books" due to insufficient capacity for new patients. We investigated the extent, evolution and impact of this situation on health access and equity in access to primary healthcare.