Exploring differences in health care utilization according to socioeconomic factors – Findings from the 2014 European Social Survey

The aim of this study is to examine inequalities in GP and health care specialist use by four social markers that may be linked to health care utilization (educational level, occupational status, level of financial strain and size and frequency of social networks) across 20 European countries and Israel. The results show that there are significant inequalities associated with GP and specialist health care use across Europe—with higher socioeconomic position (SEP) groups more likely to use health care specialists, compared with lower SEP groups. In the context of health care specialist use, education and occupation appear to be particularly important factors.

Authors: E. L. Fjær, M. Balaj, P. Stornes, A. Todd, C. L. McNamara, T. A. Eikemo

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