2006 National Healthcare Disparities Report—At A Glance

For most core quality measures, Blacks (73%), Hispanics (77%), and poor people (71%) received worse quality care than their reference groups. For most measures for poor people (67%), disparities were increasing; for most measures for minorities, significant changes in disparities were not observed.

Increasing disparities were especially prevalent in chronic disease management. Compared to their reference groups—

• Blacks had 90% more lower extremity amputations for diabetes.
• Asians were restrained in nursing homes 46% more often.
• American Indians and Alaska Natives were hospitalized from home health care 15% more often.
• Hispanics had 63% more pediatric asthma hospitalizations.
• Poor people were 37% less likely to receive recommended diabetes care.

All of these disparities were increasing over time. However, better and improving quality was also observed for at least 1 measure for every population.

For most core access measures, Hispanics (83%) and poor people (100%) had worse access to care than their reference groups. Disparities were increasing for most measures for Hispanics (80%) and poor people (60%).

Better access was only observed for Asians compared with Whites, although improving access was observed for at least 1 measure for every population.

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