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. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.