scholarly journals Do Infant Birth Outcomes Vary Among Mothers With and Without Health Insurance Coverage in Sub-Saharan Africa? Findings from the National Health Insurance and Cash and Carry Eras in Ghana, West Africa

2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdallah Ibrahim
Keyword(s):  
Health Insurance ◽  
West Africa ◽  
Birth Outcomes ◽  
National Health Insurance ◽  
Insurance Coverage ◽  
Health Insurance Coverage ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Infant Birth Outcomes ◽  
Infant Birth

scholarly journals Examining the level and inequality in health insurance coverage in 36 sub-Saharan African countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. e004712
Author(s):  
Edwine Barasa ◽  
Jacob Kazungu ◽  
Peter Nguhiu ◽  
Nirmala Ravishankar
Keyword(s):  
Health Insurance ◽  
Concentration Index ◽  
Insurance Coverage ◽  
Health Insurance Coverage ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Demographic And Health Surveys ◽  
Population Coverage ◽  
Financial Barriers ◽  
Inequality In Health ◽  
Sub Saharan

IntroductionLow/middle-income countries (LMICs) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are increasingly turning to public contributory health insurance as a mechanism for removing financial barriers to access and extending financial risk protection to the population. Against this backdrop, we assessed the level and inequality of population coverage of existing health insurance schemes in 36 SSA countries.MethodsUsing secondary data from the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys, we computed mean population coverage for any type of health insurance, and for specific forms of health insurance schemes, by country. We developed concentration curves, computed concentration indices, and rich–poor differences and ratios to examine inequality in health insurance coverage. We decomposed the concentration index using a generalised linear model to examine the contribution of household and individual-level factors to the inequality in health insurance coverage.ResultsOnly four countries had coverage levels with any type of health insurance of above 20% (Rwanda—78.7% (95% CI 77.5% to 79.9%), Ghana—58.2% (95% CI 56.2% to 60.1%), Gabon—40.8% (95% CI 38.2% to 43.5%), and Burundi 22.0% (95% CI 20.7% to 23.2%)). Overall, health insurance coverage was low (7.9% (95% CI 7.8% to 7.9%)) and pro-rich; concentration index=0.4 (95% CI 0.3 to 0.4, p<0.001). Exposure to media made the greatest contribution to the pro-rich distribution of health insurance coverage (50.3%), followed by socioeconomic status (44.3%) and the level of education (41.6%).ConclusionCoverage of health insurance in SSA is low and pro-rich. The four countries that had health insurance coverage levels greater than 20% were all characterised by substantial funding from tax revenues. The other study countries featured predominantly voluntary mechanisms. In a context of high informality of labour markets, SSA and other LMICs should rethink the role of voluntary contributory health insurance and instead embrace tax funding as a sustainable and feasible mechanism for mobilising resources for the health sector.

scholarly journals Mixed effects analysis of factors associated with health insurance coverage among women in sub-Saharan Africa

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0248411
Author(s):  
Hubert Amu ◽  
Abdul-Aziz Seidu ◽  
Ebenezer Agbaglo ◽  
Robert Kokou Dowou ◽  
Edward Kwabena Ameyaw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Insurance ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Insurance Coverage ◽  
Health Insurance Coverage ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Women Of Reproductive Age ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Sub Saharan

Introduction In the pursuit of achieving the Sustainable Development Goal targets of universal health coverage and reducing maternal mortality, many countries in sub-Saharan Africa have implemented health insurance policies over the last two decades. Given that there is a paucity of empirical literature at the sub-regional level, we examined the prevalence and factors associated with health insurance coverage among women in in sub-Saharan Africa. Materials and methods We analysed cross-sectional data of 307,611 reproductive-aged women from the most recent demographic and health surveys of 24 sub-Saharan African countries. Bivariable and multivariable analyses were performed using chi-square test of independence and multi-level logistic regression respectively. Results are presented as adjusted Odds Ratios (aOR) for the multilevel logistic regression analysis. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results The overall coverage of health insurance was 8.5%, with cross-country variations. The lowest coverage was recorded in Chad (0.9%) and the highest in Ghana (62.4%). Individual-level factors significantly associated with health insurance coverage included age, place of residence, level of formal education, frequency of reading newspaper/magazine and watching television. Wealth status and place of residence were the contextual factors significantly associated with health insurance coverage. Women with no formal education were 78% less likely to be covered by health insurance (aOR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.21–0.24), compared with those who had higher education. Urban women, however, had higher odds of being covered by health insurance, compared with those in the rural areas [aOR = 1.20, 95%CI = 1.15–1.25]. Conclusion We found an overall relatively low prevalence of health insurance coverage among women of reproductive age in sub-Saharan Africa. As sub-Saharan African countries work toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goal targets of universal health coverage and lowering maternal mortality to less than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births, it is important that countries with low coverage of health insurance among women of reproductive age integrate measures such as free maternal healthcare into their respective development plans. Interventions aimed at expanding health insurance coverage should be directed at younger women of reproductive age, rural women, and women who do not read newspapers/magazines or watch television.

Health insurance coverage for vulnerable children: two HIV orphans with Burkitt lymphoma and their quest for health insurance coverage in Kenya

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. e230508
Author(s):  
Sandra Langat ◽  
Festus Njuguna ◽  
Gertjan Kaspers ◽  
Saskia Mostert
Keyword(s):  
Health Insurance ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Burkitt Lymphoma ◽  
Insurance Coverage ◽  
Health Insurance Coverage ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Uninsured Children

The United Nations and WHO have summoned governments from low-income and middle-income countries to institute universal health coverage and thereby improve their population’s healthcare access and outcomes. Until now, few countries responded favourably to this international plea. The HIV/AIDS epidemic, a major global public health challenge, resulted in over 11 million orphans in sub-Saharan Africa. Extended families have taken responsibility for more than 90% of these children. HIV orphans are likely to be poorer and less healthy. Burkitt lymphoma is the most common childhood cancer in sub-Saharan Africa. If orphans need lifesaving chemotherapy, appointing legal guardians becomes necessary to access health insurance. However, rules and regulations involved may be unclear and costly. This hinders its access for poor families who need it most. Uninsured children risk hospital detention over unpaid medical bills and have lower survival. Our case report depicts the quest for health insurance coverage of two HIV orphans with Burkitt lymphoma in Kenya.

scholarly journals Hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control and predicted 10-year CVD risk: a cross-sectional study of Seven Communities in East and West Africa (SevenCEWA)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samson Okello ◽  
Alfa Muhihi ◽  
Shukri F Mohamed ◽  
Soter Ameh ◽  
Caleb Ochimana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
West Africa ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Cvd Risk ◽  
Hypertension Prevalence ◽  
East And West ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background: Few studies have characterized epidemiology and management of hypertension across several communities with comparable methodology in sub-Saharan Africa. We assessed prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension and predicted 10-year cardiovascular disease risk across seven sites in East and West Africa. Methods: Between June and August 2018, we conducted household surveys among adults aged 18 years and above in 7 communities in Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda. We collected data on socio-demographics, health insurance, and healthcare utilization. We measured blood pressure using digital blood pressure monitors and following a standardized protocol. We estimated 10-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk using a country-specific risk score and fitted hierarchical models to identify determinants of hypertension prevalence, awareness and treatment. Results: We analyzed data of 3549 participants. The mean age was 39·7 years (SD 15·4), 60·5% of whom were women, 9·6% had ever smoked, and 32·7% were overweight/obese. A quarter of the participants (25·1% had hypertension, half of whom (57·6%) were diagnosed. Among diagnosed, 50·5% were taking medication, and among those taking medication 47·3% had controlled blood pressure. After adjusting for other determinants, older age was associated with increased hypertension prevalence, awareness, and treatment whereas primary education was associated with lower hypertension prevalence. Health insurance was associated with lower hypertension prevalence and higher chances of treatment. Median predicted 10-yr CVD risk across sites was 4·9% Interquartile range, IQR (2·4%, 10·3%) and 13·2% had risk of 20% or greater while 7·1% had risk of >30%. Conclusion: In seven communities in east and west Africa, a quarter of adults had hypertension, about 40% were unaware, half of those aware were treated and half of those treated were controlled blood pressure. Access to health insurance is needed to improve awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa.

scholarly journals Health insurance coverage for artificial intelligence –based medical technologies: focus on radiology

2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (10) ◽  
pp. 648-653
Author(s):  
Seong Ho Park ◽  
Chang Min Park ◽  
Joon-Il Choi
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
National Health Insurance ◽  
National Health ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Insurance Coverage ◽  
Health Insurance Coverage ◽  
Clinical Value ◽  
Vessel Occlusion ◽  
Medical Technologies

Background: Interest in health insurance coverage for artificial intelligence (AI)–based medical technologies is growing. This article provides a review of the current developments in the sphere and provides future perspectives, focusing on AI application in radiology.Current Concepts: In December 2019, the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service under the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare released its first guidelines for determining the National Health Insurance coverage for AI–based medical technologies. Additionally, in 2020, the largest US health insurance provider, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, approved payment for AI technologies using two different systems. First, in September 2020, it granted New Technology Add-on Payments for AI algorithms that facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of large vessel occlusion strokes. Second, in December 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services finalized the provision of reimbursements for IDx-DR through a Current Procedural Terminology code. The AI system screens for more than mild diabetic retinopathy, which requires further evaluation by an ophthalmologist.Discussion and Conclusion: An in-depth look at the three events suggests the importance of demonstrating the added clinical value of AI technologies through improved patient outcomes in enabling insurance coverage. Therefore, it is critical to create clinically meaningful collaboration between healthcare professionals and AI by understanding and combining their unique strengths, thus actualizing new forms of patient care instead of having AI merely copy the professionals. Furthermore, if National Health Insurance coverage is granted for AI technologies in radiology, add-on payments would be the most appropriate method.

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