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Societal and Individual Determinants of Medical Care Utilization in the United States
Author(s) -
ANDERSEN RONALD,
NEWMAN JOHN F.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
the milbank quarterly
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.563
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1468-0009
pISSN - 0887-378X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-0009.2005.00428.x
Subject(s) - health care , context (archaeology) , public economics , health policy , social determinants of health , population health , health services , public health , business , distribution (mathematics) , health services research , environmental health , medicine , economic growth , population , nursing , economics , geography , mathematical analysis , archaeology , mathematics
A theoretical framework for viewing health services utilization is presented, emphasizing the importance of the (1) characteristics of the health services delivery system, (2) changes in medical technology and social norms relating to the definition and treatment of illness, and (3) individual determinants of utilization. These three factors are specified within the context of their impact on the health care system. Empirical findings are discussed which demonstrate how the framework might be employed to explain some key patterns and trends in utilization. In addition, a method is suggested for evaluating the utility of various individual determinants of health services utilization used in the framework for achieving a situation of equitable distribution of health services in the United States.