Regional health inequalities explained: empirical evidence from Czechia

Abstract

Health outcomes in Central and Eastern Europe have been generally improving over the last two decades. However, in Czechia, similar to other countries, the outcomes vary significantly across the regional dimension. In 2016, life expectancy at birth ranged from between 75.5 to 80 years – across 77 districts. This article empirically analyses the determinants of these differences using a wide range of explanatory variables that are available on a district level. Applying factor analysis, our findings indicate that the socio-economic situation within a district is the main driver – explaining a difference of up to four years in life expectancy at birth. Further, controlling for gender specific variables, the results suggest that for men alcohol consumption significantly reduces life expectancy. Both factors capturing the socio-economic situation and alcohol consumption exceed the impact of health care accessibility or environmental causes on life expectancy. The results remain robust when using more disaggregated information on 206 administrative districts – per geographic scale.