Trends in geographic disparities in allocation of health care resources in the US.

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to examine current level and historical trends in health resources distribution in the US; to investigate the relationships between both levels and trends of inequality with--geographic location, inequality of income and rates per capita of hospital-beds and physicians. METHODS The Gini Coefficient was used to measure variations in distribution of physicians and hospital-beds (at the county level) during three decades. RESULTS Physician distribution has become less equitable, while hospital-beds' equity has increased. physicians' distribution exhibited a geographic trend, becoming more equitable in the West. No association was found between equality in hospital-beds' distribution and rates of hospital-beds per capita. CONCLUSIONS Rates per capita might not be sufficient in determining availability of resources. Further research is needed to determine implications for health outcomes.

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