Title:
HEALTH EXPENDITURE AND HEALTH OUTCOMES RELATIONSHIP: THE CASE IN WEST AFRICAN COUNTRIES

Authors:
Michael Kouadio, Cameroon

Abstract:
Objective: The study investigated the relationship between health expenditure and population health outcomes in West African Countries proxied by life expectancy at birth, infant mortality rate, Under-five mortality rate, and crude mortality rate. Material and Methods: We employed the feasible generalized least square (FGLS) estimation technique for a panel of 15 countries with data ranging from 1996 to 2021, collected from the websites of the World Development Indicators and World Governance Indicators. Results: The study has indicated that public and private health expenditures in the West African region improve the population's health outcomes. Conclusion: We also recommended that governments make conscious efforts to allocate more resources to the health sector as the improvement in health outcomes contributes to countries' economic growth and to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3 (good health and well-being). We also recommend that governments in West Africa fully implement Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC) to alleviate high poverty levels and health expenses for people to be able to afford their health expenses. The implementation of the UHC will help protect individuals against ill health and cushion their income levels in the event of illness.