Abstract
We investigate whether primary care physician and patient concordance in terms
of socio-economic status (SES) reduces the SES inequality in health. We measure
physicians’ SES by their childhood SES and find that SES concordance decreases
low-SES patients’ mortality, while high-SES patients’ mortality does not depend
on their physicians’ background. Together, they translate to a 24% reduction in
the SES-mortality gradient. SES concordance changes the health behavior of the
patient and increases treatment of chronic conditions: low-SES patients with low-
SES physicians receive more care at the intensive margin, have a higher detection
of chronic conditions, and have higher adherence to treatment.
of socio-economic status (SES) reduces the SES inequality in health. We measure
physicians’ SES by their childhood SES and find that SES concordance decreases
low-SES patients’ mortality, while high-SES patients’ mortality does not depend
on their physicians’ background. Together, they translate to a 24% reduction in
the SES-mortality gradient. SES concordance changes the health behavior of the
patient and increases treatment of chronic conditions: low-SES patients with low-
SES physicians receive more care at the intensive margin, have a higher detection
of chronic conditions, and have higher adherence to treatment.
Original language | English |
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Number of pages | 73 |
Publication status | Published - 2022 |