From plan to market in the health sector?: China's experience

Countries worldwide confront the challenge of defining and achieving appropriate roles for government and market forces in the health sector. China--as both a developing and a transitional economy--represents an important case. This paper uses an international comparative perspective to examine how the health of China's population and other aspects of health system performance changed during the reform era. We draw on standard public finance and health economics theory, as well as the more recent incomplete-contracting theory of property rights, to summarize the comparative advantages of government and market for financing and delivery of health services, particularly in developing and transitional economies. We then describe and analyze against this theoretical background the transformation of China's health sector and recent commitment of government funds to move toward universal coverage.Health Insurance China Reforms Universal coverage

Carbon Fiber, Nanofiber and Nanospring-based LLDPE Composites: Effect of Processing Conditions on Electrical and Mechanical Properties

The effect of processing on electrical and mechanical properties of linear low density polyethylene composites reinforced by mesophase pitch-based carbon fibers, carbon nanofibers and helically coiled carbon nanotubes was studied. Batch mixing and twin-screw extrusion was used for melt-mixing the matrix and the filler. Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used for assessing the morphology. In general, the electrostatic dissipation, electrical conductivity, modulus and yield stress increase with increasing filler content; however, tensile strength and elongation-at-break decrease. The type of filler and its dispersion affected the final properties

Education-Related Gender Differences in Health in Rural China

We investigated gender differences in education-related health inequalities in rural China. Household interview data were obtained from 6 provinces in 1993 and 2001. Remarkable health inequalities existed and favored the higher educational groups; among women, the inequalities were greater and health inequalities increased from 1993 to 2001. Education serves as a more powerful mediating factor for health inequalities among women than among men in rural China