Variations in population health related quality of life and health service utilization in Beijing, China

In the past 20 years, China has experienced a dramatic economic transition. Along with the rapid economic growth and urbanization, Chinese health status has steadily improved. However, certain aspects brought on by this economic transition have potential negative impacts on population health status. Although these negative impacts have already caught people's attention, there is little empirical evidence to demonstrate these impacts.; The objective of this study is to examine the relationships among measures of SES, HRQoL, and health service utilization, using the data from the 2000 Beijing Household Health Survey. The results found are used to explain the potential impacts of rapid economic transition on population health status, to define potential population HRQoL problems and their determinants, and to provide evidence for policies of improving Chinese population health status along with the economic transition.; The sample used in this study includes 2994 Chinese respondents whose age are 12 years and older. Both OLS and 2SLS models have been used for health production function analysis. HRQoL measured by the EQ-5D instrument has been used as the dependent variables. Both 2PM and M2PM have been used for health service utilization analysis. Health service utilization and health expenditures have been used as dependent variables.; The results of this study show that the Chinese population HRQoL is 78.3 measured by the EQ-5D VAS, and 17.2% of respondents report problems in EQ-5D dimensions. In general, Pain/Discomfort and Anxiety/Depression are the major problems of Chinese HRQoL. Age-specific VAS value significantly drops at age 30 to 40 in the Chinese population, which is 10--30 years earlier than in developed countries.; The results from health production function and health service utilization analyses show that employment status and property levels are the major determinants that are significantly correlated with overall population HRQoL. Married males get more "benefit" from marriage than married females; and elderly who live alone have relatively higher HRQoL than those who live with other family members. Health insurance coverage can significantly increase the utilization of health services. However, health service utilization has very limited effects on overall population HRQoL.