Socioeconomic Determinants of Health in Western Pacific Region: A Panel Data Analysis

An important priority in society is attention to health and longevity، and trying for its maintenance and improvement. In current study the effects of social، economic، and environmental determinants of life expectancy were estimated for West Pacific Region (WPR) based on the Grossman (1972) theoretical model. Multiple long-linear regression model and Panel data of 1995-2007 periods for WPR countries was used. Based on Hausman test، Parameters were estimated by fixed effect model (Least Squares Dummy Variable). The results of WPR estimated model have shown a positive and significant relationship between per capita income، education، employment rate، One-year-old immunized with Measles-Containing Vaccine (p<0. 01)، urbanization (p<0. 05) and life expectancy. The economic stabilization policies such as increasing productivity and economic growth، and reducing unemployment، play a significant role in people’s health in these regions. On the other hand، policies related to improving health system efficiency، particularly revision on financing and health services provision systems، are keys for health and longevity improvement