Hospital Proximity and Mortality in Australia

Abstract

It is intuitive that proximity to hospitals can only improve the chances of survival from a range of medical conditions. This study examines the empirical evidence for this assertion, based on Australian data. While hospital proximity might serve as a proxy for other factors, such as indigenity, income, wealth or geography, the evidence suggests that proximity provides the most direct link to these factors. In addition, as it turns out, a very statistically significant one that transcends economies.

Keywords

• hospital proximity
• Australian regional mortality
• heteroscedasticity