Child health insurance coverage and household activity toward child development in four South American countries

George L Wehby

doi:10.1007/s10995-013-1321-y

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Child health insurance coverage and household activity toward child development in four South American countries

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Child health insurance coverage and household activity toward child development in four South American countries

George L Wehby

Maternal and child health journal, Vol.18(4), pp.939-949

05/2014

DOI: 10.1007/s10995-013-1321-y

PMCID: PMC3830608

PMID: 23807717

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/3830608View

Open Access

Abstract

We evaluate the association between child health insurance coverage and household activities that enhance child development. We use micro-level data on a unique sample of 2,370 children from four South American countries. Data were collected by physicians via in-person interviews with the mothers. The regression models compare insured and uninsured children seen within the same pediatric care practice for routine well-child care and adjust for several demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. We also stratify these analyses by selective household demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and by country. We find that insurance coverage is associated with increasingly engaging the child in development-enhancing household activity in the total sample. This association significantly varies with ethnic ancestry and is more pronounced for children of Native or African ancestry. When stratifying by country, a significant positive association is observed for Argentina, with two other countries having positive but insignificant associations. The results suggest that insurance coverage is associated with enhanced household activity toward child development. However, other data and research are needed to estimate the causal relationship.

Insurance Coverage - economics

Health Services Accessibility - statistics & numerical data

Cross-Sectional Studies

Risk Assessment

Humans

Child, Preschool

Child Health Services - statistics & numerical data

Male

Insurance Coverage - statistics & numerical data

Child Health Services - economics

Socioeconomic Factors

Health Services Accessibility - economics

Insurance, Health - statistics & numerical data

Regression Analysis

Family Characteristics

Interviews as Topic

South Africa

Developing Countries

Child Development - physiology

Child

Insurance, Health - economics

Details

Title: Subtitle: Child health insurance coverage and household activity toward child development in four South American countries
Creators: George L Wehby - Department of Health Management and Policy, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, 105 River Street, N248 CPHB, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA, george-wehby@uiowa.edu
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Maternal and child health journal, Vol.18(4), pp.939-949
DOI: 10.1007/s10995-013-1321-y
PMID: 23807717
PMCID: PMC3830608
NLM abbreviation: Matern Child Health J
ISSN: 1092-7875
eISSN: 1573-6628
Publisher: United States
Grant note: U01 HD0405-61S1 / NICHD NIH HHS U01 HD040561 / NICHD NIH HHS R03 TW0081180 / FIC NIH HHS R03 TW008110 / FIC NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 05/2014
Academic Unit: Preventive and Community Dentistry; Health Management and Policy; Economics; Public Policy Center (Archive)
Record Identifier: 9984025462902771

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