Table 1 Variables selected in the models
Variables | Explanation |
|---|---|
Measures of needs | |
Age-adjusted mortality | |
Physician density | The number of physicians who work for any medical facilities per 1,000 population |
Hospital physician density | The number of physicians who work for hospitals per 1,000 population |
Clinic physician density | The number of physicians who work for clinics per 1,000 population |
Measures of residential quality | |
Urban/rural status | The metropolitan area code defined by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications |
1) urban centres, 2) suburban areas, | |
3) rural areas | |
Per capita income | |
Percent of the population | As a proxy for educational level in the community |
with a university-level education | |
Unemployment rate | The number of unemployed individuals per the number of all individuals currently in the labour force (workforce) |
Percent of white-collar workers | The number of professionals, technical workers, managers, and administrators per number of workforce |
Primary school students per number | As a proxy for children’s educational opportunities |
of primary schools | |
Crime rate | The number of crimes per total population as a proxy for neighbourhood safety |
Temperature | As a proxy for climate discomfort. The discomfort index was calculated by using temperature and humidity and used in the model. |
Humidity | |
Other factors | |
Total population | |
Hospital beds per 1,000 population | |
The presence or absence of | As a proxy for continuing education |
medical schools |