Last update:
29-Aug-2024

The macroeconomic dimensions of health production function in Greece were studied, by linking doctors' number, per capita health expenditures, population percentage living in material deprivation conditions, pollutant emissions and alcohol consumption with health indicators. Articles were searched, by recording data from databases (Hellenic-European Statistical Service, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development [OECD]) and medical personnel number, per capita health expenditures, population segment living in poverty, pollutant emissions (expressed as CO2/capita) and alcohol use variation were correlated with changes in infant mortality, healthy life years and life expectancy. By above methodology, strong negative correlation of doctors' number with infant mortality (0.90% approximately) (1960–2015) and significantly positive corresponding in life expectancy change (0.94% approximately) (2000–2015) were captured. The strong negative association of per capita health expenditure on infant mortality (84% for years 2000–2015 and 96% for years 1989–2011), 90% negative correlation of people living in material deprivation conditions with healthy life years were highlighted (2008–2015), as well as negative correlation (about 95%) of environmental pollution, expressed as per capita CO2 emitted amount, with life expectancy change (2007–2015) and the 95% approximate connection of alcohol consumption with life expectancy (2005–2014). The studied cases and correlation with longitudinal health indicators' modification document macroeconomic dimensions of health production function and measures to mitigate negative consequences/enhance beneficial effects on life quality are proposed.

Key words: Alcohol, material deprivation, Environmental pollution, Health costs, Health indicators, Health production function, Health services, Quality of life.