Out-of-pocket medical expenditures, remittances and health outcomes in China

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between out-of-pocket medical expenditures, remittances and health outcomes in China using
Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Propensity Score Matching (PSM) methods. The analysis is based on data from the Global
Financial Inclusion database by the World Bank (2021), encompassing a sample of 3,446 individuals. The results indicate that outof-pocket expenditure has a negative impact on health outcomes, while remittance shows a positive association across all age groups,
including reproductive and non-reproductive populations. These findings suggest that high out-of-pocket medical costs may hinder
access to healthcare services and lead to poorer health outcomes. Conversely, remittance plays a beneficial role in improving health
outcomes, highlighting the potential of financial support to positively impact the well-being of individuals.