Unemployment, public-sector health care expenditure and HIV mortality: An analysis of 74 countries, 1981-2009.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The global economic downturn has been associated with increased unemployment and reduced public-sector expenditure on health care (PSEH). We determined the association between unemployment, PSEH and HIV mortality.

Methods

Data were obtained from the World Bank and the World Health Organisation (1981-2009). Multivariate regression analysis was implemented, controlling for country-specific demographics and infrastructure. Time-lag analyses and robustness-checks were performed.

Findings

Data were available for 74 countries (unemployment analysis) and 75 countries (PSEH analysis), equating to 2.19 billion and 2.22 billion people, respectively, as of 2009. A 1% increase in unemployment was associated with a significant increase in HIV mortality (men: 0.1861, 95%

SUBMITTER: Maruthappu M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4337148 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature