Inequality in outpatient resource utilization among older adults during the 2007-2008 financial crisis: findings from Taiwan.

Background: Equity in medical resource utilization is a crucial concern in countries with national health insurance systems. From the perspective of an active aging framework, public health insurance is one of the pillars of economic security, as suggested by the World Bank, to achieve the goal of social security for older adults. This study thus sought to quantify income-related inequality in national health insurance systems, especially during the global economic crisis of 2007-2008.

Association between fine particulate matter and oral cancer among Taiwanese men.

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between fine particulate matter 2.5 (PM) and oral cancer among Taiwanese men. Four linked data sources including the Taiwan Cancer Registry, Adult Preventive Medical Services Database, National Health Insurance Research Database, and Air Quality Monitoring Database were used.

The risk of cirrhosis in non-alcohol drinkers is greater in female than male betel nut chewers.

Background And Aim: The association of betel nut with liver cirrhosis among alcohol drinkers has been clearly shown. However, very few studies have shown such an association among non-alcohol drinkers. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between betel nut chewing and cirrhosis among non-alcohol drinkers.