Date of Award

6-2011

Document Type

Open Access

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Economics

First Advisor

Mehmet Fuat Sener

Language

English

Keywords

healthcare, bioinformatics, equipment, GDP, mortality

Abstract

Healthcare expenditures have been on the rise for many countries, especially for the developed countries. As of 2009, Japan, Australia and Canada are spending around 8 to 10% of their total GDP on healthcare, while the United States is currently up to 16%. One of the major factors contributing to increased expenditures on healthcare is the emergence of medical technology. Using data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), I empirically investigate the effects of medical technologies and healthcare expenditure on health outcomes for a group of 17 countries. Medical technology is measured by the number of MRI machines, CT scanners, mammography machines and radiation therapy equipment and their usage. Health outcomes are measured by life expectancy at birth, life expectancy at age 65 separated by males and females, infant mortality rate, and potential years of life lost (PYLL), also classified by males and females. Health expenditures are separately measured at both the public and private level. I employ a cross-country regression analysis and control for the number of hospital beds and physicians, GDP per capita, percentage of GDP spent on healthcare and lifestyle factors such as tobacco and alcohol consumption. The results show that increases in most medical equipments are associated with higher life expectancies and lower mortality rates. A higher share of public spending on health care is associated with increased mortality rates and lower life expectancies for males and females.

Download

Share

COinS