Equity and health sector reforms: can low-income countries escape the medical poverty trap?

HEALTH care reform; HEALTH policy; USER charges; MEDICAL economics

Discusses the need for equity-oriented health-sector reforms in middle- and low-income countries. Private finance for public services; Out-of-pocket expenses for private services; Description of the medical poverty trap, which can result from user fees, and what can be done about it; Suggestion that a shift in perspective can give more emphasis to equity when assessing the effects of any proposed policy changes on health and social well-being of families.