Inequities in health outcomes and access to health care in South Africa: A comparison between persons with and without disabilities

Type Journal Article - Disability & Society
Title Inequities in health outcomes and access to health care in South Africa: A comparison between persons with and without disabilities
Author(s)
Volume 30
Issue 4
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2015
Page numbers 630-644
URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2015.1034846
Abstract
Health is a fundamental human right and if health care is to be universal and equitable it should not be less accessible to some sectors of society than to others. The objective of this study was to compare health outcomes and access to health care between persons living with disabilities and their non-disabled counterparts. The research was based on secondary data analysis of wave 1 of the National Income Dynamic Survey. Results from the study indicated that people with disabilities reported a higher incidence of communicable and non-communicable diseases, lower access to medical insurance and greater use of public health care than their non-disabled counterparts. In conclusion, the findings highlight the inequities in health outcomes and access to health services for people with disabilities and emphasise the need for disability-friendly health care policies that reduce barriers to accessing health care.

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