Understanding health inequalities in the 21st century: the case of UHC in Peru

Abstract: Health is a universal right, nevertheless, not all people have the same opportunities to fully enjoy it without facing financial difficulties. Universal Health Coverage has the potential to break the health-poverty trap, supporting people with the opportunity of building a healthy structure, essential for a sustainable human and economic development. This paper explores how individual characteristics matter for taking part in Universal Health Coverage in Peru for years 2009 and 2018. Two National Household Surveys and different probit models were used for estimating a) the likelihood of being enrolled in a health insurance b) the likelihood of being enrolled in SIS or EsSalud c) the likelihood of receiving full financial coverage of health services expenses by the health insurance and d) the likelihood of perceiving certain barrier as the reason for not using health facilities when facing a health event. Overall, results suggest in most cases the marginal effect of a vulnerable characteristic on the likelihood of the outcomes of interest has reduced over the years. Nevertheless, there are still health inequities and inequalities concerning participation in UHC in Peru.