The Physician-Patient Match and Health Inequality

Abstract This study explores the impact of primary care physicians’ childhood socioeconomic status (SES) on their patients’ health and socio-economic inequality in health. We measure physicians’ SES by their parents’ education and find that SES concordance decreases low-SES patients’ mortality substantially, while high- SES patients’ mortality does not depend on their physicians’ family background, resulting in a reduction in the SES-mortality gradient of 25%. SES concordance improves low-SES patients’ health by increasing care at the intensive margin, increasing detection of chronic conditions, and improving adherence to treatment. SES concordance elevates communication, fosters empathy and trust between physicians and low-SES patients.