Impact of Health Insurance on Chronic Disease Management in Women
In a recent study by Tsinghua University, researchers examined the effects of different health insurance schemes on chronic disease management behaviors among insured Chinese women. The research focused on how various insurance types influence non-communicable disease (NCD) management, including medication adherence, lifestyle changes, and health monitoring practices.
The analysis utilized data collected from an online survey conducted between June and August 2025, which encompassed approximately 7,000 women from 31 provinces. A total of 1,101 respondents, all insured and diagnosed with at least one NCD, participated in the study, classified into three main insurance categories: Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance (UEBMI), Urban–Rural Resident Basic Medical Insurance (URRMI), and the government-funded medical subsidy (GovMed).
Results indicated that medication adherence was notably affected by the insurance type, with GovMed enrollees demonstrating better adherence compared to those under UEBMI and URRMI. This can be attributed to GovMed's more extensive coverage and reduced out-of-pocket expenses, facilitating greater access to prescribed medications. However, no significant differences were observed among the insurance types concerning lifestyle interventions or health monitoring.
The study explored the role of supplementary commercial insurance, finding a positive, albeit not statistically significant, correlation with both medication adherence and lifestyle changes. It demonstrated a stronger association with increased health monitoring, suggesting that additional insurance layers may provide benefits in disease management.
Post-menopausal women exhibited more pronounced benefits from GovMed in terms of medication adherence than pre-menopausal women, pointing to the importance of life-stage considerations in designing insurance benefits. The findings highlight the need for policies tailored to enhance pain management strategies for chronic conditions.
This research emphasizes the crucial role of insurance design in chronic disease management, particularly in medication adherence, suggesting avenues for policy improvements. As the global burden of NCDs rises, these insights could shape future healthcare policy, addressing chronic disease management gaps and enhancing public health outcomes.