Nexus between Exposure to Mass Media and Health Care Expenditure: Empirical Evidence from India

Abstract

Background: High Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) on health care in India is a serious concern hitherto the low level of Government health spending and health pandemics. Personal savings are the only options left to the individual. This paper identifies the role of mass media use on OOPE on health care in India. Methods: The analysis is based on the large scale nationally representative dataset (India Human Development Survey - IHDS – II, 2011-12) using the log-linear ordinary regression and multinomial logit regression models. Conclusions: We observe the U-shaped relationship between Information and Communication Technology (ICT) use and health expenditure among Indian households. However, ICT use is corroborated with higher health expenditure since they belong to the higher strata of income quantile. Some specific policy-based recommendations on better dissemination of information through the appropriate use of ICT devices pertaining to health care have been suggested.