Improving access to health care and financial protection of the poor is a key concern for policymakers in low- and middle-income countries, but there have been few rigorous program evaluations. The Medical Insurance Program for the Poor in the republic of Georgia provides a free and extensive...

Background: Wealth index based on household asset scores is widely used as a predictor of health outcomes, choice of providers, etc. Wealth scores and their weights can be derived at several levels - national, national-urban-rural, or state-wise-urban-rural. Previous studies raised concerns...

Rationale: The vaccination status is often regarded as a proxy of investment in child health and a majority of analysis has examined the differences in vaccination status across different socio-economic groups. However, vaccination status does not reflect absolute investment; rather it measures...

Objective: To evaluate provider responsiveness and beneficiary satisfaction with insurance carriers participating in the Republic of Georgia’s Medical Insurance for the Poor. Study setting: A dedicated survey of approximately 3,500 households in two types of regions – with different...

A primary focus of the IFPRI 2020 Vision initiative is to find ways for people to attain food security, that is, sufficient food to lead healthy and productive lives. But what is "sufficient"? And is providing access to food the primary means of protecting people (particularly women and...