Abstract
This mixed methodology research study was conducted to assess health equity within a human
rights framework, comparing situations among three groups in Thailand in order to close the gap between
these groups. The sample included 789 subjects (ethnic Thais, and hill tribe and stateless hill tribe
people) from 10 provinces in northern Thailand; they were studied from December 2006 to August 2007.
The tool for comparison was the benchmark of fairness for assessing health care reform. Data analysis was by ANOVA, Z-score and fulfilled qualitative data. Based on the research results 17 experts suggested
policy options.
The results revealed significant differences among the three population groups on seven out of the
nine benchmarks (all at p < 0.001). The non-significantly different benchmarks were efficiency and quality
of care (p = 0.170) and administrative efficiency (p = 0.227). With regard to to Z-score analysis, Thai
nationals (group 1) had the highest score (Z = 0.3293), the hill tribes with Thai citizenship (group 2) had a
mid-level score (Z = 0.1275) and the stateless hill tribes (group 3) had the lowest score (Z = –0.3885).
Recommendations from experts to bridge the gap included the need for budget allocations to fit with
population, health care standards, legal reforms and the decentralization of health services to the local
governments.
In conclusion, this research suggested that the Thai government should close the inequity gap by
adopting a policy mix that would affect every population group in Thailand. The establishment of equity
with regard to basic health care will promote human rights concerns within Thailand and will serve as an
example for the promotion of humanitarian efforts elsewhere.
