Patient gender discrimination on cardiology: access and diagnosis: a discrete probability model for Catalonia

Abstract

In this project, we examine patient gender discrimination on both the probabilities of visiting the cardiologist and being diagnosed with a heart disease. Using micro data from the 2016 and 2017 Catalan Health Survey (ESCA), and two Probit estimations for the equations drawn for each case of study, we are able to reach the conclusion that there is gender discrimination both on access and diagnosis for patients with high prospects of suffering heart issues. Our findings suggest that women have lower probabilities of visiting the cardiologist and being diagnosed with a heart disease. Even after adding controls for risk factors, other significant socioeconomic variables, and using two different sub-samples, these results preserve their validity and significance intact.