Explaining the incidence of catastrophic expenditures on health care: Comparative evidence from Asia

Out-of-pocket (OOP) financing of health care leaves households exposed to the risk of unforeseen expenditures that absorb a large share of the household budget. Here, they explain variation in the incidence of catastrophic medical expenditures across households in six Asian countries/territories. Except in India and Sri Lanka, larger households are more likely to incur catastrophic payments. The incidence is higher in rural areas and lower among households with a sanitary toilet and safe drinking water. Household total consumption is positively correlated with the incidence of catastrophic payments. [EQUITAP Project: Working Paper No. 5] URL: [http://www.equitap.org/publications/wps/EquitapWP5.pdf]