An association between change in health expenditures and health indicators; A cross country comparison

Background and purpose: Improved life standards, over the past few decades, had led to an increase in health expenditures. The aim of this article was  to compare the trend of health expenditure per capita and its association with health indicators in selected countries. Materials and Methods: The health indices of World Health Organization and World Bank health statistics for 10 years (2003 to 2013) were employed. Countries includes Denmark, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, Nigeria and Liberia. Six indices were compared with the global average in 5 income groups. Results: Denmark with health expenditure per capita more than the Netherlands had higher life expectancy at birth and more deaths as a result of alcohol abuse and tobacco smoking. Nigeria’s health spending per capita was 2.5 times more than that of Liberia, because it had worse results in all health indicators with high mortality rate due to lower vaccination coverage for malaria, AIDS, and tuberculosis, and at the same time, high costs for the labor force and corruption in health system. Iran with health expenditure per capita less than Turkey had lower total mortality rate of infants and children under 5 years and lower total fertility. Well-organized PHC system and highly qualified professionals in the field of healthcare are among the strengths of the healthcare system in Iran. Conclusion: Increasing trend of health expenditures in selected countries did not have a significant impact on the health indicators trend. Countries must identify and invest on their health priorities to improve population health status.