Reliance on direct payment for health care in Asia is higher in poorer than in richer countries, new study shows

The proportion of the cost of health care that is paid directly by patients themselves varies widely in Asia, with the Japanese paying the least out of their own pockets and the Nepalese paying the most, new research shows (Journal of Health Economics 2008;27:460-75).

The researchers looked at healthcare financing in 13 countries and territories in central, southern, and eastern Asia, accounting for 55% of the total population of Asia and 33% of the world population. Direct payments by patients accounted for …