National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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AHRQ Research Studies
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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 25 of 26 Research Studies DisplayedCheng TL, Mistry KB
AHRQ Author: Mistry KB
Clarity on disparity: who, what, when, where, why, and how.
This purpose of this article was to explain a comprehensive framework of health disparities descriptors that can offer a systematic approach to advance the understanding of causes of health disparities and facilitate action steps to ensure health equity.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Cheng TL, Mistry KB .
Clarity on disparity: who, what, when, where, why, and how.
Pediatr Clin North Am 2023 Aug; 70(4):639-50. doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2023.03.003..
Keywords: Disparities, Social Determinants of Health, Newborns/Infants, Mortality, Health Status, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Access to Care
Fraiman YS, Litt JS, Davis JM
Racial and ethnic disparities in adult COVID-19 and the future impact on child health.
This article discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children who are racial and ethnic minorities and the disproportionate harm to them. The authors urge that COVID-19-focused research consider racial and ethnic disparity. The paper discusses the lasting and intergenerational impact of COVID-19 on communities of color, especially children, due to increase in stress, material hardship, food insecurity, and long-term school readiness.
AHRQ-funded; HS000063.
Citation: Fraiman YS, Litt JS, Davis JM .
Racial and ethnic disparities in adult COVID-19 and the future impact on child health.
Pediatr Res 2021 Apr;89(5):1052-54. doi: 10.1038/s41390-021-01377-x..
Keywords: COVID-19, Children/Adolescents, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Disparities, Health Status, Social Determinants of Health
Odlum M, Moise N, Kronish IM
Trends in poor health indicators among Black and Hispanic middle-aged and older adults in the United States, 1999-2018.
This study used records extracted from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to determine which health indicators have improved or became worse among Black and Hispanic middle-aged (45 and older) adults compared to Whites from 1999 to 2018. This data is required by the Minority Health and Health Disparities Research and Education Act of 2000. A sample included of 4,856,326 participants, of them 60.9% women, mean age 60.4. During the last 20 years, Black adults showed an overall decrease showing improvement in uninsured status and physical inactivity while showing an overall increase in hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and stroke, and also the same increases and decreases in the Black-White gap. Hispanic adults showed improvement in physical inactivity and perceived poor health, while they showed overall deterioration in hypertension and diabetes. The Hispanic-White gap improved in coronary heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, asthma, arthritis, depression and physical inactivity while it increased for diabetes, hypertension, and uninsured status.
AHRQ-funded; HS025198.
Citation: Odlum M, Moise N, Kronish IM .
Trends in poor health indicators among Black and Hispanic middle-aged and older adults in the United States, 1999-2018.
JAMA Netw Open 2020 Nov 2;3(11):e2025134. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.25134..
Keywords: Elderly, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Disparities, Health Status, Health Insurance, Diabetes, Blood Pressure, Chronic Conditions
Senft N, Abrams J, Katz
eHealth activity among African American and white cancer survivors: a new application of theory.
eHealth is a promising resource for cancer survivors and may contribute to reducing racial disparities in cancer survivorship. This research applied the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) to examine eHealth activity among African American (AfAm) and White cancer survivors.
AHRQ-funded; HS022955.
Citation: Senft N, Abrams J, Katz .
eHealth activity among African American and white cancer survivors: a new application of theory.
Health Commun 2020 Mar;35(3):350-55. doi: 10.1080/10410236.2018.1563031..
Keywords: Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Cancer, Disparities, Health Status, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT)
Zullo AR, Adams JW, Gantenberg JR
Examining neighborhood poverty-based disparities in HIV/STI prevalence: an analysis of Add Health data.
The purpose of the study was to estimate the effect of exposure to neighborhood poverty in adolescence on HIV/STI prevalence in early adulthood. The investigators found that strong evidence for neighborhood poverty-based differences in HIV/STI prevalence was not observed. They suggest that researchers should continue to investigate the effect of neighborhood-level socioeconomic position measures and, if warranted, identify etiologically relevant exposure periods.
AHRQ-funded; HS022998.
Citation: Zullo AR, Adams JW, Gantenberg JR .
Examining neighborhood poverty-based disparities in HIV/STI prevalence: an analysis of Add Health data.
Ann Epidemiol 2019 Nov;39:8-14.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2019.09.010..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Low-Income, Vulnerable Populations, Disparities, Social Determinants of Health, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Infectious Diseases, Young Adults, Health Status
Ngo-Metzger Q Sharif, MZ Biegler, K Mollica, et al.
A health profile and overview of healthcare experiences of Cambodian American refugees and immigrants residing in Southern California.
This study compared the health status and healthcare experiences of Cambodian American refugees and immigrants, using data were collected via questionnaires and medical records from two community clinics in Southern California. Minimal differences in self-reported health behaviors occurred between the two groups. Refugees reported lower levels of health-related quality of life overall and self-rated health, but similar or more positive healthcare experiences than the immigrants. Refugees had higher rates of diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk, in adjusted analyses. The authors conclude that there is a need for more health promotion efforts to improve health outcomes and perceived wellbeing of Cambodian American refugees and immigrants.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Ngo-Metzger Q Sharif, MZ Biegler, K Mollica, et al..
A health profile and overview of healthcare experiences of Cambodian American refugees and immigrants residing in Southern California.
J Immigr Minor Health 2019 Apr;21(2):346-55. doi: 10.1007/s10903-018-0736-3..
Keywords: Disparities, Health Status, Patient Experience, Quality of Life, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Vulnerable Populations
Biener AI, Zuvekas SH
AHRQ Author: Zuvekas SH
Do racial and ethnic disparities in health care use vary with health?
Researchers used Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data from 2010-2014 to evaluate health care use between black-white and Hispanic-white adults. They found that there was the widest disparity in health care use in adults in excellent health between Hispanics and whites but the opposite was true for blacks and whites. Differences are attributed to health insurance coverage and access to health care overall.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Biener AI, Zuvekas SH .
Do racial and ethnic disparities in health care use vary with health?
Health Serv Res 2019 Feb;54(1):64-74. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.13087..
Keywords: Access to Care, Disparities, Healthcare Utilization, Health Insurance, Health Status, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Berdahl T, McQuillan J
AHRQ Author: Berdahl T
Self-rated health trajectories among married Americans: do disparities persist over 20 years?
The purpose of this study is to understand self-rated health (SRH) trajectories by social location (race/ethnicity by gender by social class) among married individuals in the United States. It found that women are less healthy than men; people of color are less healthy than whites; lower educated individuals are less healthy than higher educated individuals. Women's health declined slower than men's but did not differ by race/ethnicity or education
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Berdahl T, McQuillan J .
Self-rated health trajectories among married Americans: do disparities persist over 20 years?
J Aging Res 2018 Jan 11;2018:1208598. doi: 10.1155/2018/1208598.
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Keywords: Disparities, Health Status, Social Determinants of Health
Parker TC, Mohammed A, Leong T
Rotavirus vaccination rate disparities seen among infants with acute gastroenteritis in Georgia.
The purpose of this study was to determine possible disparities and socio-economic differences in RV vaccination rates. The study conclude that racial disparities and socio-economic differences are not determinants in rotavirus vaccination rates; however, age and ethnicity have an effect on RV vaccine status.
AHRQ-funded; HS024338.
Citation: Parker TC, Mohammed A, Leong T .
Rotavirus vaccination rate disparities seen among infants with acute gastroenteritis in Georgia.
Ethn Health 2017 Dec;22(6):585-95. doi: 10.1080/13557858.2016.1244744..
Keywords: Disparities, Health Status, Newborns/Infants, Social Determinants of Health, Vaccination
Wisk LE, Weitzman ER
Expectancy and achievement gaps in educational attainment and subsequent adverse health effects among adolescents with and without chronic medical conditions.
This study sought to investigate educational aspirations, expectations, and attainment among youth with and without chronic conditions and to determine if these relationships mediated subsequent disparities in health and well-being. Findings suggest an important risk mechanism through which youth with chronic medical conditions may acquire socioeconomic disadvantage as they develop and progress through educational settings.
AHRQ-funded; HS022986; HS000063.
Citation: Wisk LE, Weitzman ER .
Expectancy and achievement gaps in educational attainment and subsequent adverse health effects among adolescents with and without chronic medical conditions.
J Adolesc Health 2017 Oct;61(4):461-70. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2017.04.006..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Chronic Conditions, Disparities, Education, Health Status
Beckman AL, Herrin J, Nasir K
Trends in cardiovascular health of US adults by income, 2005-2014.
This research letter discusses the trends in cardiovascular health of US adults by income from 2005-2014. The investigators assessed national trends in cardiovascular risk factors by income level among adults aged 25 years and older using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, a nationally representative, multistage probability sample of the US population, across 5 periods: 2005 to 2006, 2007 to 2008, 2009 to 2010, 2011 to 2012, and 2013 to 2014.
AHRQ-funded; HS023000.
Citation: Beckman AL, Herrin J, Nasir K .
Trends in cardiovascular health of US adults by income, 2005-2014.
JAMA Cardiol 2017 Jul;2(7):814-16. doi: 10.1001/jamacardio.2017.1654..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Risk, Disparities, Health Status, Blood Pressure, Obesity, Diabetes, Low-Income, Tobacco Use
Cram P, Saag KG, Lou Y
Racial differences and disparities in osteoporosis-related bone health: results from the PAADRN randomized controlled trial.
The researchers examined whether providing dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) test results directly to patients might reduce or eliminate racial differences in osteoporosis-related health care. They found that black women were still less likely to know their actual DXA result and less likely to be on guideline-concordant therapy, but black women had greater patient activation.
AHRQ-funded; HS023009.
Citation: Cram P, Saag KG, Lou Y .
Racial differences and disparities in osteoporosis-related bone health: results from the PAADRN randomized controlled trial.
Med Care 2017 Jun;55(6):561-68. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000000718.
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Keywords: Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Disparities, Osteoporosis, Health Status
Chang SH, Yu YC, Carlsson NP
Racial disparity in life expectancies and life years lost associated with multiple obesity-related chronic conditions.
This study investigated racial disparity in life expectancies (LEs) and life years lost associated with multiple obesity-related chronic conditions. It found that black individuals had higher risks of developing diabetes, hypertension, and stroke. This disparity in LE between white and black participants was largest in men age 40 to 49 with at least stroke: black men lived 3.12 years shorter than white men.
AHRQ-funded; HS022330.
Citation: Chang SH, Yu YC, Carlsson NP .
Racial disparity in life expectancies and life years lost associated with multiple obesity-related chronic conditions.
Obesity 2017 May;25(5):950-57. doi: 10.1002/oby.21822.
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Keywords: Chronic Conditions, Disparities, Health Status, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Obesity, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Jackson BE, Oates GR, Singh KP
Disparities in chronic medical conditions in the Mid-South.
This study examined differences in socio-demographic characteristics and health behaviors relevant to chronic medical conditions (CMCs) in the Mid-South region (Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas), and identified subpopulations with increased burden of chronic disease. It concluded that in the Mid-South, race and gender disparities in the top five chronic conditions are more prominent among higher-income rather than lower-income individuals.
AHRQ-funded; HS023009.
Citation: Jackson BE, Oates GR, Singh KP .
Disparities in chronic medical conditions in the Mid-South.
Ethn Health 2017 Apr;22(2):196-208. doi: 10.1080/13557858.2016.1232805.
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Keywords: Chronic Conditions, Disparities, Health Status, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Social Determinants of Health
Stepanikova I, Oates GR
Perceived discrimination and privilege in health care: the role of socioeconomic status and race.
This study examined how perceived racial privilege and perceived racial discrimination in health care varied with race and socioeconomic status (SES). It found that in whites, higher income and education contributed to increased perceptions of privileged treatment and decreased perceptions of discrimination. The pattern was reversed in blacks, who reported more discrimination and less privilege at higher income and education levels.
AHRQ-funded; HS023009.
Citation: Stepanikova I, Oates GR .
Perceived discrimination and privilege in health care: the role of socioeconomic status and race.
Am J Prev Med 2017 Jan;52(1s1):S86-s94. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2016.09.024.
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Keywords: Disparities, Health Status, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Social Determinants of Health
Stepanikova I, Bateman LB, Oates GR
Systemic inflammation in midlife: race, socioeconomic status, and perceived discrimination.
This study investigates social determinants of systemic inflammation, focusing on race, SES, and perceived discrimination. Data on 884 white and 170 black participants were obtained from the Survey of Midlife in the U.S., a cross-sectional observational study combining survey measures, anthropometry, and biomarker assay. It suggests that inflammation-reducing interventions should focus on blacks and individuals facing socioeconomic disadvantages, especially low education.
AHRQ-funded; HS023009.
Citation: Stepanikova I, Bateman LB, Oates GR .
Systemic inflammation in midlife: race, socioeconomic status, and perceived discrimination.
Am J Prev Med 2017 Jan;52(1s1):S63-s76. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2016.09.026.
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Keywords: Disparities, Health Status, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Social Determinants of Health
Arora A, Spatz E, Herrin J
Population well-being measures help explain geographic disparities in life expectancy at the county level.
This study investigated whether population well-being - a comprehensive measure of physical, mental, and social health - helps explain geographic variation in life expectancy. At the county level, it found that for every 1-standard-deviation (4.2-point) increase in the well-being score, life expectancy was 1.9 years higher for females and 2.6 years higher for males.
AHRQ-funded; HS023000.
Citation: Arora A, Spatz E, Herrin J .
Population well-being measures help explain geographic disparities in life expectancy at the county level.
Health Aff 2016 Nov 01;35(11):2075-82. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2016.0715.
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Keywords: Disparities, Health Status, Low-Income, Social Determinants of Health
Ross RE, Garfield LD, Brown DS
The Affordable Care Act and implications for health care services for American Indian and Alaska Native individuals.
This paper summarizes the Affordable Care Act provisions that directly and/or indirectly affect the service delivery of health care provided by tribes and the Indian Health Service.
AHRQ-funded; HS020269.
Citation: Ross RE, Garfield LD, Brown DS .
The Affordable Care Act and implications for health care services for American Indian and Alaska Native individuals.
J Health Care Poor Underserved 2015 Nov;26(4):1081-8. doi: 10.1353/hpu.2015.0129.
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Keywords: Disparities, Policy, Health Status, Health Services Research (HSR), Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Thorpe RJ, Jr., Kennedy-Hendricks A, Griffith DM
Race, social and environmental conditions, and health behaviors in men.
The investigators examined the nature of disparities in health behaviors among African American and white men in the Exploring Health Disparities in Integrated Communities Study-Southwest Baltimore to data from the 2003 National Health Interview Survey. They found that race disparities in physical activity, drinking, and smoking were ameliorated where African American and white men were living under similar social, environmental, and socioeconomic status conditions, suggesting that social environment may be an important determinant of health behaviors among African American and white men.
AHRQ-funded; HS000029.
Citation: Thorpe RJ, Jr., Kennedy-Hendricks A, Griffith DM .
Race, social and environmental conditions, and health behaviors in men.
Fam Community Health 2015 Oct-Dec;38(4):297-306. doi: 10.1097/fch.0000000000000078.
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Keywords: Disparities, Health Status, Lifestyle Changes, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Social Determinants of Health
Thorpe RJ, Jr., Bell CN, Kennedy-Hendricks A
Disentangling race and social context in understanding disparities in chronic conditions among men.
This study compared survey data collected in 2003 from black and white men with similar incomes living in a racially integrated neighborhood of Baltimore to data from the 2003 National Health Interview Survey. The researchers found no race disparities in chronic conditions among low-income, urban men living in the same social environment, and they recommended that policies and interventions aiming to reduce disparities in chronic conditions focus on modifying social aspects of the environment.
AHRQ-funded; HS000029.
Citation: Thorpe RJ, Jr., Bell CN, Kennedy-Hendricks A .
Disentangling race and social context in understanding disparities in chronic conditions among men.
J Urban Health 2015 Feb;92(1):83-92. doi: 10.1007/s11524-014-9900-9.
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Keywords: Chronic Conditions, Disparities, Health Status, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Social Determinants of Health
Spittel ML, Riley WT, Kaplan RM
AHRQ Author: Kaplan RM
Educational attainment and life expectancy: a perspective from the NIH Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research.
This article is the introduction to a special issue of papers on the subject of educational attainment and life expectancy. The significance of this collection of research papers is that the findings offer new insights into the complex processes underlying the widely known, but poorly understood, association between higher educational attainment and better health status together with greater life expectancy.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Spittel ML, Riley WT, Kaplan RM .
Educational attainment and life expectancy: a perspective from the NIH Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research.
Soc Sci Med. 2015 Feb;127:203-5. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2014.11.017..
Keywords: Disparities, Healthcare Costs, Health Status, Social Determinants of Health
Burke JF, Vijan S, Chekan LA
Targeting high-risk employees may reduce cardiovascular racial disparities.
A possible remedy for health disparities is for employers to promote cardiovascular health among minority employees. However, this study finds that there was no significant per person differential attributable to racial disparities for heart attack and stroke. A primary implication is that targeting cardiovascular disease strategies for African Americans is unlikely to be cost saving for employers.
AHRQ-funded; HS017690
Citation: Burke JF, Vijan S, Chekan LA .
Targeting high-risk employees may reduce cardiovascular racial disparities.
Am J Manag Care. 2014 Sep;20(9):725-33..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Disparities, Healthcare Costs, Health Promotion, Health Status, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Rowland M, Peterson-Besse J, Dobbertin K
Health outcome disparities among subgroups of people with disabilities: a scoping review.
The authors described recent research activity that has examined health outcome disparities within populations of people with disabilities. They found that the health outcomes most frequently examined were diabetes and heart disease, and the most frequently examined disparity factors were the type of disabling condition and gender. Identifying that there are significant gaps in available research, they concluded that building a body of research that identifies disparities and potentially vulnerable subgroups may improve understanding of the causes of disparities and contribute to efforts to improve quality of life and health outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
AHRQ-funded.
Citation: Rowland M, Peterson-Besse J, Dobbertin K .
Health outcome disparities among subgroups of people with disabilities: a scoping review.
Disabil Health J 2014 Apr;7(2):136-50. doi: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2013.09.003.
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Keywords: Disabilities, Disparities, Health Status, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Kirby JB, Kaneda T
AHRQ Author: Kirby JB
'Double jeopardy' measure suggests blacks and Hispanics face more severe disparities than previously indicated.
The authors proposed a new way of conceptualizing and quantifying the racial and ethnic disadvantages of uninsurance over the course of a lifetime. Their measures indicated that, compared to whites, Hispanics and blacks are more likely not only to be uninsured at any point throughout most of their lives, but also to spend more years uninsured and spend more of these uninsured years at high risk of needing medical care. They concluded that these life expectancy measures have the potential to reframe the discussion of disparities and monitor progress toward their elimination.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Kirby JB, Kaneda T .
'Double jeopardy' measure suggests blacks and Hispanics face more severe disparities than previously indicated.
Health Aff 2013 Oct;32(10):1766-72. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2013.0434.
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Keywords: Disparities, Health Insurance, Health Status, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Uninsured
Lebrun-Harris LA, Baggett TP, Jenkins DM
AHRQ Author: Ngo-Metzger Q
Health status and health care experiences among homeless patients in federally supported health centers: findings from the 2009 patient survey.
This study examined health status and health care experiences of homeless patients in health centers and compared them to nonhomeless counterparts. It found that homeless patients had worse health status (chronic conditions, mental health problems, and substance abuse) compared with housed respondents. They were also twice as likely to have unmet medical needs in the past year.
AHRQ-authored
Citation: Lebrun-Harris LA, Baggett TP, Jenkins DM .
Health status and health care experiences among homeless patients in federally supported health centers: findings from the 2009 patient survey.
Health Serv Res. 2013 Jun;48(3):992-1017. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.12009..
Keywords: Health Status, Community-Based Practice, Access to Care, Disparities