Demography of Inequality in Healthcare Access in Africa

Abstract

There has been an increasing global interest in inequality in healthcare access. In Africa, the concept of inequality in healthcare access has been presented in different ways and used to inform various perspectives of individual and state actions. This chapter aims at examining how scholars, practitioners, and social activists have studied inequality in healthcare access in Africa. The implementation gaps in addressing inequality in healthcare access are also examined. We bring together various applications of methodologies and the nature of knowledge produced on inequality in healthcare access. Consequently, we highlight knowledge gaps regarding inequality in healthcare access in Africa, including social determinants and manifestations of inequality. Understanding the linkages in terms of dimensions of policy response that address structural limitations and hinder systems of equality in different African countries is vital. Most case studies depend on Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) and census data sets. Various data analysis approaches have been used depending on the researcher’s intention. We see no single theory that fits or explains all forms of inequality in healthcare access. We recommend a systematic review of why scholars preferred to study a particular perspective of inequality in healthcare access over another.