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The equity-enhancing effect of primary care resources (primary care to population ratios) is shown in a study that examined postneonatal mortality rates in the 50 US states. States with high income inequality have 17% lower postneonatal mortality if they were well endowed with primary care physicians, but a 7% higher postneonatal mortality if they were relatively deprived of primary care physicians. States with relatively even distribution of income have a small positive effect of relatively high primary care physician to population ratio and a slightly higher mortality if primary care resources were relatively low. That is, the importance of primary care is greatest in socially deprived areas.

Based on data in: Shi L, Starfield B. Primary care, income inequality, and self-rated health in the United States: a mixed-level analysis. Int J Health Serv 2000; 30(3):541-555.