Present-day population health in selected European countries in relation to basic characteristics of socio-economic development

Overview

The article deals with the relationship between the socio-economic level and selected indicators of population’s health in a group of European countries; special attention is paid to the Czech Republic. Results of correlation analysis revealed intermediate to strong dependence of all indicators of population’s health (life expectancy, standardized mortality rate, etc.) on the level of per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Human Development Index (HDI) highly correlated with all health indicators as well. In 2002, the Czech Republic was placed 32nd in a table of HDI for 177 countries of the world. GDP per capita was 15 780 USD p.p.p. (purchasing power parity) in the same year. Total health expenditure as a percent of GDP has been 7.3% in recent years. The GINI indicator, which expresses a grade of income inequality, did not show a statistical significant relation to indicators of population’s health. All health indicators – except deaths due to traffic accidents - improved in the Czech Republic in the period 1995 – 2003. Despite many unresolved problems in health care financing, the Czech Republic displays sufficient economic potential for assuring high quality health care.

Key words:
socio-economic level, health indicators, Europe, Czech Republic