Tervishoiukulud

Tervishoiukulud refer to the resources spent on maintaining and improving the health of a population. In health economics, they cover the purchase of medical goods and services, health-promoting activities, and related support such as caregiving and transportation. The term is used to describe how much money is allocated to health care by public authorities, private entities, and households, and to analyze the sustainability and equity of health systems.

Current health expenditure comprises spending within a given period on hospital and physician services, drugs, diagnostics, public health programs, and long-term care. It also includes direct non-medical costs such as travel to receive care and informal caregiving, as well as payments that households make through insurance premiums and out-of-pocket payments. In many countries, the data are presented as current health expenditure (CHE) per capita or as a share of gross domestic product (GDP). Data are compiled by organizations such as the World Bank, WHO, and OECD.

Several factors drive tervishoiukulud, including population aging, prevalence of chronic diseases, technology and new treatments, price levels, and how a health system is financed. Policy goals often seek to balance financial protection (reducing the risk of catastrophic health spending) with cost containment and efficiency. Approaches include expanding risk pooling, negotiating prices, promoting preventive care, strengthening primary care, and encouraging generic medicines.

Variations across countries reflect different institutional arrangements, level of development, and cultural expectations about health care. The study of health expenditure helps assess sustainability, equity, and the effectiveness of health policies.