Last update:
   29-Mar-2022
 

Arch Hellen Med, 39(2), March-April 2022, 264-270

SHORT COMMUNICATION

Unmet health needs and social inequalities in European Union countries

M. Bourazani,1 T.Ι. Konstantinidis2
1University Clinic of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, "Evangelismos" General Hospital, Athens,
2Department of Nursing, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Heraklion, Crete, Greece

Due to the economic crisis in the European Union (EU), health inequalities and unmet health care needs increased, affecting medical and dental care, especially among vulnerable people and lower income groups. Unmet needs usually arise from problems in the availability (e.g., waiting lists), accessibility (e.g., geographical distance, high costs) and acceptability of the services provided. Greece was among the countries in EU that reported high levels of unmet health needs, mainly for financial reasons. Strategies to improve health inequalities and the access to care are needed to minimize health gaps.

Key words: European Union, Social inequalities, Unmet health needs.

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