Influencing factors on prevalence rate of drinking-water-borne dental fluorosis based on health economics

Abstract

Objective Based on health economics, the influencing factors on prevalence rate of drinking-water-borne dental fluorosis were studied. Methods Collect panel data on the prevalence and influencing factors of dental fluorosis in drinking water-type endemic fluorosis (referred to as fluorosis) in 26 provinces (municipalities and autonomous regions) from 2005 to 2015. The theoretical hypothesis model of influencing factors on the prevalence of drinking-water-borne dental fluorosis was constructed from six aspects: economic operation status (electricity consumption), urbanization status (urban population ratio), natural environmental protection (per capita public green space area), urban water supply capacity (urban water population), health expenditure, and fixed assets investment of health institutions. And then Eviews 7.2 was used for panel data regression analysis. Results From 2005 to 2015, the prevalence rate of drinking-water-borne dental fluorosis in China showed a downward trend (r = - 0.881, P 1). Then, the absolute value of standard coefficient on urban water population was 0.750, and that of electricity consumption and health expenditure were the lowest (absolute value of the standard coefficient = 0.266). Conclusion Favorable natural environment, urbanization, construction of urban water supply facilities, reasonable increase of health expenditure and sustainable development of regional economy are powerful impetus to reduce the prevalence rate of drinking-water-borne dental fluorosis and to promote public health development. Key words: Fluorosis, dental; Influencing factors; Environmental protection; Urbanization; Regional economic development