تأثیر سالمندی بر هزینه‌های کمرشکن سلامت خانوار در ایران: دوره 1394-1386

Background and Aims: Population aging is one of the most important economic, social and health challenges of the twenty-first century. The increasing rate of aging in the population will increase the risk of households being confronted with catastrophic health expenditure (CHE). The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of aging on households' CHE in Iran. Materials and Methods: The data on household income-expenditure were obtained from the annual Iranian Statistical Center reports for the period 2007-2016.  The statistical technique used for data analysis was the regression Logit technique, the software for the final data analysis being the Excel and STATA. Result: The results showed that increased numbers of elderly people in a household would increase the probability of the household being confronted with CHE. Additionally, the following households were also more likely to be at risk of CHE: urban families; female-headed families; those not owning private homes; those with no income or with an unemployed head; and those in the lower income deciles. Moreover, no insurance coverage would decrease the likelihood of a household to be at risk of CHE. Conclusion: Considering the findings of this study and the aging of the Iranian population, it is essential that the government, in line with fair financing and reducing the economic burden of health expenditures on households with an elderly member, try, through special support packages for the elderly, to prevent confrontation of such families with catastrophic health expenditures.