Trends in horizontal inequity in access to public health care services by immigrant condition in Spain (2006-2017).

Background: The objective of this research is to analyse trends in horizontal inequity in access to public health services by immigration condition in Spain throughout the period 2006-2017. We focus on "economic immigrants" because they are potentially the most vulnerable group amongst immigrants.

Methods: Based on the National Health Surveys of 2006-07 (N = 29,478), 2011-12 (N = 20,884) and 2016-17 (N = 22,903), hierarchical logistic regressions with random effects in Spain's autonomous communities are estimated to explain the probability of using publicly-financed health care services by immigrant condition, controlling by health care need and other socioeconomic and demographic variables.

Comparing aversions to outcome inequality and social risk in health and income: An empirical analysis using hypothetical scenarios with losses.

Evaluation of future social welfare may not only depend on the aggregate of individual prospects, but also on how the prospects are distributed across individuals. The latter in turn would depend on how people perceive inequality and risk at the collective level (or "social risk"). This paper examines distributional preferences regarding inequality in outcomes and social risk for health and income in the context of losses.

Correction to: Financial crisis and income-related inequalities in the universal provision of a public service: the case of healthcare in Spain.

Following publication of the original article [1], the autor reported 5 references should be indicated in Spanish. The correct references can be found below.

Financial crisis and income-related inequalities in the universal provision of a public service: the case of healthcare in Spain.

Background: The objective of this paper is to analyse whether the recent recession has altered health care utilisation patterns of different income groups in Spain.

Methods: Based on information concerning individuals 'income and health care use, along with health need indicators and demographic characteristics (provided by the Spanish National Health Surveys from 2006/07 and 2011/12), econometric models are estimated in two parts (mixed logistic regressions and truncated negative binominal regressions) for each of the public health services studied (family doctor appointments, appointments with specialists, hospitalisations, emergencies and prescription drug use).

Results: The results show that the principle of universal access to public health provision does not in fact prevent a financial crisis from affecting certain income groups more than others in their utilisation of public health services.

The effect of policies regulating tobacco consumption on smoking initiation and cessation in Spain: is it equal across socioeconomic groups?

Background: In Spain, the Law 28/2005, which came into effect on January 2006, was a turning point in smoking regulation and prevention, serving as a guarantee for the progress of future strategies in the direction marked by international organizations. It is expected that this regulatory policy should benefit relatively more to lower socioeconomic groups, thus contributing to a reduction in socioeconomic health inequalities. This research analyzes the effect of tobacco regulation in Spain, under Law 28/2005, on the initiation and cessation of tobacco consumption, and whether this effect has been unequal across distinct socioeconomic levels.

Health inequalities by socioeconomic characteristics in Spain: the economic crisis effect.

Background: An economic crisis can widen health inequalities between individuals. The aim of this paper is to explore differences in the effect of socioeconomic characteristics on Spaniards' self-assessed health status, depending on the Spanish economic situation.

Methods: Data from the 2006-2007 and 2011-2012 National Health Surveys were used and binary logit and probit models were estimated to approximate the effects of socioeconomic characteristics on the likelihood to report good health.

Egalitarianism and altruism in health: some evidence of their relationship.

Background: Egalitarianism and altruism are two ways in which people may have attitudes that go beyond the narrowly defined selfish preferences. The theoretical constructs of egalitarianism and altruism are different from each other, yet there may be connections between the two. This paper explores the empirical relationship between egalitarianism and altruism, in the context of health.

Real waiting times for surgery. Proposal for an improved system for their management.

Objectives: In Spain, official information on waiting times for surgery is based on the interval between the indication for surgery and its performance. We aimed to estimate total waiting times for surgical procedures, including outpatient visits and diagnostic tests prior to surgery. In addition, we propose an alternative system to manage total waiting times that reduces variability and maximum waiting times without increasing the use of health care resources.

Equity in specialist waiting times by socioeconomic groups: evidence from Spain.

In countries with publicly financed health care systems, waiting time--rather than price--is the rationing mechanism for access to health care services. The normative statement underlying such a rationing device is that patients should wait according to need and irrespective of socioeconomic status or other non-need characteristics. The aim of this paper is to test empirically that waiting times for publicly funded specialist care do not depend on patients' socioeconomic status.

Blood donation as a public good: an empirical investigation of the free rider problem.

A voluntary blood donation system can be seen as a public good. People can take advantage without contributing and have a free ride. We empirically analyse the extent of free riding and its determinants.

Exploring social welfare functions and violation of monotonicity: an example from inequalities in health.

The social welfare function (SWF) has been used within the economics literature, to study trade-offs between equality and efficiency. These SWFs are characterised by properties determined by traditional welfare economics. One of these properties, the monotonicity principle is explored in this paper.