Health and Development Investment Choices

Flashcards covering vocabulary related to the intersection of health, economic development, and health disparities as discussed in the lecture.

Human capital

People's ability to be productive and to accumulate the knowledge and skills they need to be productive.

Health disparities

A type of difference in health that is closely linked with social or economic disadvantage.

Health equity

Achieved when every person has the opportunity to attain their full health potential, and no one is disadvantaged from achieving this potential because of social position or other socially determined circumstances.

Health inequity

Differences in population health status and mortality rates that are systemic, patterned, unfair, unjust, and actionable as opposed to random or caused by those who become ill.

Inequality (WHO definition)

Differences in health status or in the distribution of health determinants between different population groups.

Equality (in healthcare)

Everyone is given the same support or access, ignoring individual differences in need.

Equity (in healthcare)

Recognizes individual differences and ensures people get the resources they specifically require to reach their highest health potential.

Justice (in healthcare)

Addresses the root causes of inequity, such as systemic racism, poverty, or lack of infrastructure, to remove those barriers.

Inclusion (in healthcare)

All groups are not just given care but are fully engaged and valued in shaping the health system, ensuring no one is left out.

Geographic availability (of health services)

Factors such as distance or travel time affecting access to health services.

Availability (of health services)

The extent to which needed services are offered in a convenient manner by properly trained staff.

Financial accessibility (of health services)

The extent to which people are able or willing to pay for services without falling into financial distress.

Acceptability (of health services)

The extent to which services are in line with cultural norms and expectations.

Income quintiles

Divisions of the population into five equal income groups, from the least well off to the highest well off.

Public expenditure (on health)

Expenditure by any level of government or government agency (e.g., city, state, or national government).

Private expenditure (on health)

Expenditure by sources other than the government, such as non-government organizations, individuals, or private for-profit sectors.

Out-of-pocket expenditure (on health)

Expenditure by individuals that is not covered or reimbursed by an insurance program.

Cost effectiveness analysis

Compares the cost of an intervention with the amount of health that can be purchased with that investment, often measured through deaths avoided, life years saved, or DALYs averted.

Highly cost effective (WHO threshold)

A cost per DALY averted that is less than the GDP per capita.

Cost effective (WHO threshold)

A cost per DALY averted that is more than one to three times the GDP per capita.

Cost benefit analysis

An economic analysis tool that assigns monetary value to all expected costs and benefits of an investment to determine how much will be returned for every dollar invested.