Research on Economic Burden and Risk of Chronic Diseases in Rural Area of Shanxi

doi:10.7664/CHE20131015

Abstract：Objective: To study economic burden and risk of common chronic diseases in rural area of Shanxi. Methods: Chronic disease patients were randomly selected and investigated for their economics burden and risk of diseases through questionnaires. Results: The average annual income of hypertension patients is RMB 3 692.34 and the average annual medical expenditure is RMB 3 716.29, the adjusted RR is 11.23; the average annual income of diabetes mellitus patients is RMB 4 497.63 and the average annual medical expenditure is RMB 4 297.95, the adjusted RR is 10.61. The average annual income of chronic bronchitis patients is RMB 3 578.90 and the average annual medical expenditure is RMB 2 919.01, the adjusted RR is 9.10. Only 32.41%, 38.71% and 24.29%patients of these three diseases have the ability to pay more than 20% medical treatment charge, and the abilities are very low. Conclusion: The economic burden and risk of patients with chronic burden are high among in rural area of Shanxi. The diabetics endure more than patients with hypertension and chronic bronchitis diseases;the abilities of patients with chronic disease are very low, and there is a trend of polarization between the rich and the poor.