The Dynamics of Health Inequality in Kagera Region in Tanzania, 1991-2010

Abstract

This paper investigates issues related to the dynamics of health inequality and its relation to income in Kagera region in Tanzania. Specifically, it investigates the size of health inequality and examines the extent of income-related health inequality and
income in the region. The study uses the Kagera Health and Development Survey (KHDS) panel data, and a measure of income-related health inequality and healthrelated income inequality as proposed by Allanson et al. (2010) to measure the extent of income-related health inequality and health-related income inequality. The findings show that there is a relationship between relative health changes and individuals’ initial level of income, which implies income plays a vital role in reducing inequalities in
health. Furthermore, health-related income mobility is found to be positive, signifying that the current health status was more strongly related to the current income than lagged income. The key findings imply that income-related policy interventions for
improving health status of the poor is inevitable.