Catastrophic Health Expenditures in Iran: Insights from Shokri and Colleagues

Catastrophic Health Expenditures in Iran: Insights from Shokri and Colleagues

Iran has aimed ambitiously to reduce the percentage of households facing catastrophic health expenditures (CHE) to 1%, a target reaffirmed through successive national development plans. However, recent findings by Azad Shokri and colleagues, published in Health Science Reports, reveal that this goal remains unmet.

In a comprehensive national survey involving nearly 2,000 households across five provinces in Iran, the researchers found that 8.3% of households still experience catastrophic health expenditures—far exceeding the country's goal. Shokri, alongside Amjad Mohamadi Bolbanabad, Satar Rezaei, Ghobad Moradi, and Bakhtiar Piroozi, highlights crucial determinants driving this issue, including:

• Female-headed households (nearly 3 times more likely to experience CHE)

• Utilization of rehabilitation services (6 times more likely)

• Dental services (3 times more likely)

• Households with disabled members (twice as likely)

• Lower socioeconomic status (up to 10 times more likely)

These findings underscore the significant gaps in Iran’s health system, notably the limited financial protection provided by basic and supplementary insurance plans. The study emphasizes the necessity for policymakers to intensify efforts toward universal health coverage, focusing particularly on:

• Expanding insurance coverage to include dental and rehabilitation services

• Improving government subsidies and targeted financial assistance for vulnerable groups

• Revising existing insurance frameworks to increase protection depth

Azad Shokri and the research team provide a critical evaluation of Iran's healthcare financing strategy, urging immediate, targeted interventions to mitigate economic vulnerability due to healthcare expenses.

For a more in-depth analysis, you can read the original study here.