This indicator highlights the financial burden on households by measuring the percentage of individuals who allocate over 10% of their total consumption or income to
out-of-pocket health care costs. Out-of-pocket expenses encompass any direct payments made by households for health services, whether for preventive, curative, rehabilitative, long-term, or palliative care, received from various providers and settings. This metric serves as a critical gauge of financial accessibility to healthcare, indicating potential inequalities in health service affordability. A high percentage may suggest significant economic strain on families, potentially leading to unmet health needs and worsening health outcomes, while also reflecting the effectiveness of healthcare systems and policies in protecting individuals from catastrophic health expenditures.
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