The research article “Does health aid matter to financial risk protection? A regression analysis across 159 household surveys, 2000–2016,” authored by Jacopo Gabani, Marc Suhrcke, Sven Neelsen, Patrick Hoang-Vu Eozenou, and Marc-Francois Smitz, explores the relationship between development assistance for health (DAH) and financial risk protection. Published in the Journal of Social Science and Medicine, the study addresses a critical gap in evidence regarding the impact of health aid on reducing catastrophic health expenditures and impoverishment caused by healthcare costs.
Analysing data from 1.7 million households across 65 countries from 2000 to 2016, the authors reveal that, on average, DAH is not significantly associated with improved financial risk protection outcomes. However, targeted DAH investments, particularly when directed through government systems, show promise in reducing financial risks for the poorest populations. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers aiming to align health aid with universal health coverage objectives.