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    The determinants of the differences in the health status across regions over the years 1990, 1995 and 2000
    (2005-10) Ambrocio, Ma. Lair E.; Sioson, Valerie Ann A.
    Objective. This paper evaluates the differences in health status of the 16 regions in the Philippines and which determinants account for these differences using nationally representative data. Methods. The authors analyzed the regional data on health expenditures, average family income, literacy rate, employment rate, number of banks. private and public hospitals and establishments involved in the production and distribution of food and drugs and doctor density. Fixed effects and Random effects approach through a Generalized Least Squares Approach were conducted to examine the relationship between the different health status indicators and independent variables which includes components of health spending, socioeconomic status, measure of economic activity and demographics. This study covers the years 1990, 1995 and 2000. Results. Random effects regression reveals that 1) increase in health expenditures leads to a decrease in the fertility rate which can be attributed to the health programs of the government advocating population control On the other hand, literacy. employment and presence of banking institutions contributed to an increase in fertility rate. 2) Increases in average family income, literacy rate and number of banking institutions yield an increase in reported deaths and births. 3) Improvement in average family income, literacy rate, and the number of doctors per 10,000 population are found to reduce child and under-five mortality rates. The Fixed Effects regression reveals that an increase in the employment rate leads to an increase in infant mortality. The effects of average family income, literacy rate and doctor density have been consistent with the hypothesis. Conclusions. Increases in health expenditures, literacy rate and number of banking institutions are generally associated with a favorable health status measures such as the fertility rate. child mortality rate and under-five mortality rate. Determinants such as the employment rate and presence of public hospitals are negatively associated with the health status measure infant mortality rate thus suggesting the need for more efficient public hospitals and additional government support for infant care or the improvement of the education sector to produce more educated mothers in the future who are believed to be more knowledgeable of how to take care of their children.