ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES@#To assess the impact of a simulated tax-induced cigarette price increase on its consumption by different expenditure clusters in Iran. @*METHODS@#Employing consecutive cross sections for cigarette consumption, a two-part model was applied for different expenditure groups. @*RESULTS@#A 75% price increase in cigarettes noticeably— as is common in some countries with strong tobacco control policies—reduces current consumption in all five social classes, causing nearly 8% of current male smokers to quit or not to start. @*CONCLUSIONS@#Findings of the current study suggest that Iranian policy makers go through to implement tobacco taxation policies to control smoking prevalence, which in turn might lead to a reduction in national healthcare expenditures as well as enhance the global community’s capacity to meet Sustainable Development Goals.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES@#To assess the impact of a simulated tax-induced cigarette price increase on its consumption by different expenditure clusters in Iran. @*METHODS@#Employing consecutive cross sections for cigarette consumption, a two-part model was applied for different expenditure groups. @*RESULTS@#A 75% price increase in cigarettes noticeably— as is common in some countries with strong tobacco control policies—reduces current consumption in all five social classes, causing nearly 8% of current male smokers to quit or not to start. @*CONCLUSIONS@#Findings of the current study suggest that Iranian policy makers go through to implement tobacco taxation policies to control smoking prevalence, which in turn might lead to a reduction in national healthcare expenditures as well as enhance the global community’s capacity to meet Sustainable Development Goals.
ABSTRACT
Background: in recent decades, the rate of caesarian section [C-section] has increased in the Islamic Republic of Iran. A reform in the Iranian health system - the Health Transformation Plan [HTP] - was launched in 2014 in which one of the objectives of HTP is decreasing the rate of C-section
Aims: this study aimed to assess the effects of the Health Transformation Plan [HTP] on the C-section rate in the Islamic Republic of Iran
Methods: this study was an interrupted time series analysis that used segmented regression analysis to assess the im-mediate and long-term effects of the HTP on C-section rate in two groups of hospitals affiliated and not affiliated to the Ministry of Health and Medical Education [MoHME] in Kurdistan province. Study samples were selected using the data on monthly C-section rate collected over a period of four years
Results: we observed significant decreases in C-section rate immediately after the HTP in both groups of hospitals by 0.0629 and 0.0013, respectively [P < 0.05]. In the long run, we observed no significant decrease in the regression slope of C-section rate in both groups
Conclusions: the implementation of HTP decreased the C-section rate. However, the reduction does not meet expectations
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: One of the main objectives of the Targeted Subsidies Law (TSL) in Iran was to improve equity in healthcare financing. This study aimed at measuring the effects of the TSL, which was implemented in Iran in 2010, on equity in healthcare financing. METHODS: Segmented regression analysis was applied to assess the effects of TSL implementation on the Gini and Kakwani indices of outcome variables in Iranian households. Data for the years 1977-2014 were retrieved from formal databases. Changes in the levels and trends of the outcome variables before and after TSL implementation were assessed using Stata version 13. RESULTS: In the 33 years before the implementation of the TSL, the Gini index decreased from 0.401 to 0.381. The Gini index and its intercept significantly decreased to 0.362 (p < 0.001) 5 years after the implementation of the TSL. There was no statistically significant change in the gross domestic product or inflation rate after TSL implementation. The Kakwani index significantly increased from -0.020 to 0.007 (p < 0.001) before the implementation of the TSL, while we observed no statistically significant change (p=0.81) in the Kakwani index after TSL implementation. CONCLUSIONS: The TSL reform, which was introduced as part of an economic development plan in Iran in 2010, led to a significant reduction in households’ income inequality. However, the TSL did not significantly affect equity in healthcare financing. Hence, while measuring the long-term impact of TSL is paramount, healthcare decision-makers need to consider the efficacy of the TSL in order to develop plans for achieving the desired equity in healthcare financing.
Subject(s)
Delivery of Health Care , Economic Development , Family Characteristics , Gross Domestic Product , Healthcare Financing , Inflation, Economic , Iran , Jurisprudence , Regression Analysis , Social Justice , Socioeconomic FactorsABSTRACT
Background: The payment system is pivotal in implementing policies in the health sector. Equitable access to healthcare is the main principle of the payment system.
Aims: This study aimed to investigate aspects of the payment system in the urban family physician programme [FPP] in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Methods: This was a qualitative study. We obtained data from key informants and both formal and grey literature. We used content analysis for data analysis.
Results: A range of concepts was explored related to the payment system of the FPP. By merging similar expressions, we categorized the findings into four main themes including: payment method, payment criteria and incentives, payment process and amount of payment.
Conclusions: FPP is required to follow convenient implementation methods. The mechanisms of payment in the health sector are weak and have no transparency. A blurred combination of criteria makes an unclear process for determining the payment mechanisms. It is recommended that the opinions of key stakeholders be taken into consideration prior to developing payment mechanisms and financial incentives