Economic Inequality and Healthcare Access in ECOWAS: The Impact of Government Health Spending

Economic inequality remains a significant barrier to healthcare accessibility in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), where inadequate government health spending and inequality hinder healthcare access across the region. This study empirically investigates the relationship between economic inequality, economic growth, and healthcare access, utilizing a panel dataset from 2001–2024 for 15 ECOWAS nations. The study used two advanced econometrics techniques (Heteroskedasticity Panel-Corrected Standard Errors (HPCSE) and Feasible Generalized Least Squares (FGLS)). The study reveals that higher income inequality negatively affects healthcare access, as measured by physician availability per 1,000 people. Additionally, population density exerts pressure on healthcare resources, necessitating infrastructure expansion. The interaction between government health expenditure and inequality reveals that strategic public investment can reduce healthcare disparities. Therefore, the study recommends financial policies that enhance healthcare expenditure strategies and public-private partnerships to improve healthcare accessibility. This study contributes to policy discussions by providing evidence-based recommendations for achieving universal healthcare in ECOWAS.