Guatemala: The economic burden of illness and health system implications

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the economic burden of ill health in Guatemala, the characteristics of Guatemala's health system that potentially explain this burden, and to identify policies to help ameliorate it. Methods: Data from the 2000 and 2006 Living Standard Measurement Surveys are used to assess levels of financial burden from ill health, along with information on health system characteristics of Guatemala and recent reform experiences of several middle- and low-income countries. Results: Despite some gains over the period from 2000 to 2006, there continues to be both a high level and inequitable distribution of financial burden associated with ill health in Guatemala. Low levels of insuranc..