Health Finance, Equity in

Fairness in the finance of health care relates to the distribution of health-care payments across the population and is an important issue for most health-care systems. The focus is on whether payments for health care are in accordance with ability to pay and on whether households are protected against catastrophic expenses. This article describes and discusses the methodologies used in measuring both (in)equity concepts. Furthermore, an overview is given of empirical results covering developed as well as developing countries. Finally, some policy concerns about improving equity are highlighted.