Socioeconomic Inequalities in Healthcare and Rehabilitation Expenditure: An Analysis of Costs for People with Disabilities in Iran

Middle East Journal of Rehabilitation and Health Studies, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 12(2)

Published: March 9, 2025

Background: Technological advancements, demographic shifts, and lifestyle changes have led to increased healthcare expenditures, making access services more challenging. People with disabilities, who frequently require specialized rehabilitation services, encounter substantial financial structural barriers access. Economic social inequalities significantly influence often preventing individuals particularly in developing countries, from utilizing these due constraints inadequate insurance coverage. Objectives: This study aims examine socioeconomic expenses for persons disabilities Iran, highlighting the burden disparities essential services. Methods: descriptive-analytical quantitative utilized secondary data a national survey conducted 2020. The analysis employed Gini coefficient Concentration Index assess inequalities. dataset included responses 483 adults physical were members of Iranian Disabled Community had participated original through structured electronic questionnaire. analyzed using Stata software. Results: average total cost was 24,600,000 Tomans (PPP 270.09$ US), indicating significant economic pressure on disabilities. coefficient, nearing 0.90, reflects severe inequality distribution expenditure among people implies that some face high while others pay much less. based income positive, favors higher-income groups, educational status, lower education levels. Conclusions: findings reveal level These are typically can be burdensome this population, many whom challenges related insufficient income. emphasize necessity targeted policy interventions alleviate ensure equitable across groups. Such policies could enhance health outcomes improve quality life

Language: Английский

The Role of Urban Food Forests in Promoting Environmental Sustainability and Public Health: A Focus on Temperature Regulation and Mental Health

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(7), P. 2875 - 2875

Published: March 24, 2025

As urbanization accelerates, the urban heat island effect and residents’ mental health issues are becoming increasingly severe. This study aims to explore impact of Urban Food Forest Program on environmental comfort, mitigation effect, middle-aged elderly residents. The research methods include on-site field measurements questionnaire surveys, which were used analyze comfort green spaces in hotspots assess participants’ health. results indicate that significantly reduced surrounding temperature, particularly soil areas, with an average cooling 2.4 °C. Regarding program effectively lowered intensity reducing it by 15%. Green showed a notable positive improving microclimate, especially alleviating effect. survey revealed male participants had higher scores than female (p = 0.017). Middle-aged individuals who participated activities more five times per week exhibited better health, their being 17% those low-frequency participants. However, this has several limitations. relatively small sample size limited observation period may affect generalizability findings. Additionally, focused specific area, not fully represent broader context. Future should aim expand size, extend period, different settings verify findings’ robustness applicability. Based these findings, future efforts focus expanding coverage, enhancing humidity regulation, encouraging greater social outdoor participation among populations. Specifically, increasing activity frequency promoting interactions can further improve quality well-being.

Language: Английский