Geographic variation in health care-A special issue on the 40th anniversary of 'Small area variation in health care delivery'

摘要

In December 1973, Wennberg and Gittelsohn [1] published their seminal article on variations in health care in Vermont. Since then, researchers worldwide seek to advance the understanding of the causes and consequences of unwarranted variation that cannot be explained on the basis of illness, patient preferences, or medical science [2]. It is a matter of particular interest of Health Policy to support these efforts by offering a platform of exchange for the international research community. To mark - and celebrate - the 40th anniversary of "Small area variation in health care delivery" [1], Health Policy therefore publishes this special issue dedicated to the study of geographic variation in health care and spending on health in high-income countries around the globe. Researchers from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, Taiwan, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States contributed to this volume - testifying that the topic is truly of global importance.