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
101 to 125 of 132 Research Studies DisplayedKennedy-Hendricks A, Schwartz HL, Griffin BA
Health implications of social networks for children living in public housing.
This study sought to examine whether the health composition of the social networks of children living in subsidized housing differs from those living in public housing developments; and whether children's social network composition is associated with children's own health. The authors found no significant differences in the health characteristics of the social networks of children based on housing, but social network composition was significantly associated with several aspects of children's own health.
AHRQ-funded; HS000029.
Citation: Kennedy-Hendricks A, Schwartz HL, Griffin BA .
Health implications of social networks for children living in public housing.
Health Place 2015 Nov;36:145-51. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2015.11.001.
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Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Health Status, Low-Income, Social Determinants of Health
Kennedy-Hendricks A, Schwartz H, Thornton RJ
Intergenerational social networks and health behaviors among children living in public housing.
The researchers investigated whether caretakers' social networks are linked with children's health status. They found that caretaker social networks are independently associated with certain aspects of child health, suggesting the importance of the broader social environment for low-income children's health.
AHRQ-funded; HS023009.
Citation: Kennedy-Hendricks A, Schwartz H, Thornton RJ .
Intergenerational social networks and health behaviors among children living in public housing.
Am J Public Health 2015 Nov;105(11):2291-7. doi: 10.2105/ajph.2015.302663.
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Keywords: Caregiving, Children/Adolescents, Family Health and History, Health Status, Low-Income
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
Horner-Johnson W, Dobbertin K, Kulkarni-Rajasekhara S
Food insecurity, hunger, and obesity among informal caregivers.
Increasing numbers of US residents rely on informal caregiving from friends and family members. Caregiving can have substantial health and financial impacts on caregivers. This study addressed whether those impacts include adverse nutritional states. It concluded that caregiving is associated with increased risk of food insecurity and hunger in Oregon.
AHRQ-funded; HS022981.
Citation: Horner-Johnson W, Dobbertin K, Kulkarni-Rajasekhara S .
Food insecurity, hunger, and obesity among informal caregivers.
Prev Chronic Dis 2015 Oct 8;12:E170. doi: 10.5888/pcd12.150129..
Keywords: Caregiving, Obesity, Nutrition, Health Status
Curtis JR, Yang S, Chen L
Determining the minimally important difference in the Clinical Disease Activity Index for improvement and worsening in early rheumatoid arthritis patients.
This study determined the amount of change in the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) that represented improvement and worsening minimum clinically important differences (MCIDs). The optimal cut point for the MCID for CDAI improvement stratified for baseline disease activity was a change of 12 (high disease activity), 6 (moderate disease activity), and 1 (low disease activity). The MCID for CDAI worsening among RA patients who achieved low disease activity was 2 units.
AHRQ-funded; HS018517.
Citation: Curtis JR, Yang S, Chen L .
Determining the minimally important difference in the Clinical Disease Activity Index for improvement and worsening in early rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Arthritis Care Res 2015 Oct;67(10):1345-53. doi: 10.1002/acr.22606..
Keywords: Arthritis, Health Status
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
Hoopes MJ, Dankovchik J, Weiser T
Uncovering a missing demographic in trauma registries: epidemiology of trauma among American Indians and Alaska Natives in Washington state.
The objectives of this study were to evaluate racial misclassification in a statewide trauma registry and to describe the epidemiology of trauma among the Washington American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) population. Linkage to a state trauma registry improved data quality by correcting racial misclassification, allowing for a comprehensive description of injury patterns for the AI/AN population. Compared to Caucasians, AI/AN sustained more severe injuries with similar postinjury outcomes.
AHRQ-funded; HS019972.
Citation: Hoopes MJ, Dankovchik J, Weiser T .
Uncovering a missing demographic in trauma registries: epidemiology of trauma among American Indians and Alaska Natives in Washington state.
Inj Prev 2015 Oct;21(5):335-43. doi: 10.1136/injuryprev-2014-041419.
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Keywords: Trauma, Registries, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Health Status, Injuries and Wounds
Huang ES
Potential overtreatment of older, complex adults with diabetes.
This study examined glycemic control levels among older adults with diabetes mellitus by health status and to estimate the prevalence of potential overtreatment of diabetes. Most older patients with complex/intermediate or very complex/poor health status, reached tight glycemic targets between 2001 and 2010. Most of them were treated with insulin or sulfonylureas. The findings suggest that a substantial proportion of older adults with diabetes were potentially over-treated.
AHRQ-funded; HS018542.
Citation: Huang ES .
Potential overtreatment of older, complex adults with diabetes.
JAMA 2015 Sep 22-29;314(12):1280-1. doi: 10.1001/jama.2015.9757..
Keywords: Diabetes, Elderly, Health Status
Zanocco K, Butt Z, Kaltman D
Improvement in patient-reported physical and mental health after parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) assessment in the clinical setting to measure changes in patient-reported health before and after parathyroidectomy. It found that PROMIS is an efficient clinical assessment platform for measuring patient-reported outcomes in primary hyperparathyroidism via computer-adaptive testing.
AHRQ-funded; HS000078.
Citation: Zanocco K, Butt Z, Kaltman D .
Improvement in patient-reported physical and mental health after parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism.
Surgery 2015 Sep;158(3):837-45. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2015.03.054..
Keywords: Health Status, Surgery, Behavioral Health, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Outcomes
Hinami K, Smith J, Deamant CD
Health perceptions and symptom burden in primary care: measuring health using audio computer-assisted self-interviews.
The purpose of the study was to assess the relationships among somatic symptoms and health perception measures in data collected from the implementation of audio computer-assisted self-interviews. It found physical symptoms, notably lack of energy and pain, to be prevalent and severe in an urban safety-net general medical population. Poor health perception in the patient population was attributable largely to lack of energy and pain.
AHRQ-funded; HS019481.
Citation: Hinami K, Smith J, Deamant CD .
Health perceptions and symptom burden in primary care: measuring health using audio computer-assisted self-interviews.
Qual Life Res 2015 Jul;24(7):1575-83. doi: 10.1007/s11136-014-0884-4..
Keywords: Quality of Life, Primary Care, Health Status, Pain
Briesacher BA, Madden JM, Zhang F
Did Medicare Part D affect national trends in health outcomes or hospitalizations? A time-series analysis.
The researchers examined changes in health outcomes and medical services in the Medicare population after implementation of Medicare Part D. They found that 5 years after implementation, and contrary to previous reports, there was no evidence of Part D's effect on a range of population-level health indicators among Medicare enrollees. Further, there was no clear evidence of gains in medical care efficiencies.
AHRQ-funded; HS018577
Citation: Briesacher BA, Madden JM, Zhang F .
Did Medicare Part D affect national trends in health outcomes or hospitalizations? A time-series analysis.
Ann Intern Med. 2015 Jun 16;162(12):825-33. doi: 10.7326/m14-0726..
Keywords: Hospitalization, Outcomes, Medicare, Health Status, Elderly
Aschbrenner KA, Brunette MF, McElvery R
Cigarette smoking and interest in quitting among overweight and obese adults with serious mental illness enrolled in a fitness intervention.
The authors explored cigarette smoking, health status, and interest in quitting among overweight and obese adults with serious mental illness enrolled in a fitness intervention. Using the In SHAPE fitness intervention data, the researchers found that 84% of smokers were interested in quitting. Smokers in the intervention had lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and were less ready to reduce dietary fat.
AHRQ-funded; HS021695.
Citation: Aschbrenner KA, Brunette MF, McElvery R .
Cigarette smoking and interest in quitting among overweight and obese adults with serious mental illness enrolled in a fitness intervention.
J Nerv Ment Dis 2015 Jun;203(6):473-6. doi: 10.1097/nmd.0000000000000309.
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Keywords: Health Status, Lifestyle Changes, Behavioral Health, Obesity, Tobacco Use
Kamal AH, Nipp RD, Bull J
Symptom burden and performance status among community-dwelling patients with serious illness.
The researchers explored the relationship between prevalence and severity of symptoms and underlying performance status. They found distinct groupings of symptoms with high burden associated with different levels of performance status. This includes high prevalence of fatigue, anorexia, and dyspnea in patients with high performance. Patients with low performance status, however, reported more pain, depression, and constipation.
AHRQ-funded; HS022763.
Citation: Kamal AH, Nipp RD, Bull J .
Symptom burden and performance status among community-dwelling patients with serious illness.
J Palliat Med 2015 Jun;18(6):542-4. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2014.0381..
Keywords: Patient Safety, Quality of Life, Palliative Care, Health Status
Kenzik KM, Martin MY, Fouad MN
Health-related quality of life in lung cancer survivors: Latent class and latent transition analysis.
The authors determined the HRQOL classes that exist among lung cancer survivors, examined transitions among those classes over time, and compared survival outcomes of patients according to the classes present in the initial phase of care. Lung cancer survivors were characterized into 4 different classes based on HRQOL responses, and few survivors transitioned to better HRQOL classes.
AHRQ-funded; HS013852.
Citation: Kenzik KM, Martin MY, Fouad MN .
Health-related quality of life in lung cancer survivors: Latent class and latent transition analysis.
Cancer 2015 May 1;121(9):1520-8. doi: 10.1002/cncr.29232..
Keywords: Cancer, Cancer: Lung Cancer, Outcomes, Quality of Life, Health Status
Koroukian SM, Warner DF, Owusu C
Multimorbidity redefined: prospective health outcomes and the cumulative effect of co-occurring conditions.
The researchers explored the prospective effects of multimorbidity on health outcomes (health status, major health decline, and mortality). They found a strong and significant association between multimorbidity and prospective health status, major health decline, and mortality and concluded that multimorbidity may be used — both in clinical practice and in research — to identify older adults with heightened vulnerability for adverse outcomes.
AHRQ-funded; HS023113.
Citation: Koroukian SM, Warner DF, Owusu C .
Multimorbidity redefined: prospective health outcomes and the cumulative effect of co-occurring conditions.
Prev Chronic Dis 2015 Apr 23;12:E55. doi: 10.5888/pcd12.140478..
Keywords: Outcomes, Health Status, Mortality, Elderly
Wright KD, Pepper GA, Caserta M
Factors that influence physical function and emotional well-being among Medicare-Medicaid enrollees.
The researchers examined the associations between race, gender, age, neighborhood poverty, education, and health behaviors (i.e., smoking, exercise, and physical activity) with physical function and emotional well-being in Medicare-Medicaid enrollees. They determined that race, neighborhood poverty, education, and income did not influence physical function or emotional well-being; however, physical activity was associated both with an increased self-report of physical function and emotional well-being.
AHRQ-funded; HS014539.
Citation: Wright KD, Pepper GA, Caserta M .
Factors that influence physical function and emotional well-being among Medicare-Medicaid enrollees.
Geriatr Nurs 2015 Mar-Apr;36(2 Suppl):S16-20. doi: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2015.02.022..
Keywords: Social Determinants of Health, Medicare, Medicaid, Lifestyle Changes, Health Status
Lyons EJ
Cultivating engagement and enjoyment in exergames using feedback, challenge, and rewards.
The author reviewed theoretical and empirical evidence related to three mechanisms for encouraging enjoyment during exergame play. Lyons found that feedback, challenge, and rewards are promising mechanisms by which exergames could become more enjoyable and concluded that how these concepts are operationalized can affect physical and psychological reactions to exergames.
AHRQ-funded; HS022134.
Citation: Lyons EJ .
Cultivating engagement and enjoyment in exergames using feedback, challenge, and rewards.
Games Health J 2015 Feb;4(1):12-8. doi: 10.1089/g4h.2014.0072.
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Keywords: Health Promotion, Health Status, Lifestyle Changes, Patient Experience, Patient Experience
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
Rantz MJ, Skubic M, Popescu M
A new paradigm of technology-enabled 'vital signs' for early detection of health change for older adults.
The purpose of this article is threefold: (1) discuss research behind the technology-enabled ‘vital signs’ for early detection of health change that the Eldertech Research team has conducted, (2) discuss clinical implications for mainstream adoption and use of these vital signs for early interventions to help older adults, their families, and healthcare providers, and (3) present some obstacles to overcome for mainstream adoption.
AHRQ-funded; HS018477.
Citation: Rantz MJ, Skubic M, Popescu M .
A new paradigm of technology-enabled 'vital signs' for early detection of health change for older adults.
Gerontology 2015;61(3):281-90. doi: 10.1159/000366518..
Keywords: Elderly, Health Status, Patient Safety, Health Information Technology (HIT)
Feemster LC, Cooke CR, Rubenfeld GD
The influence of hospitalization or intensive care unit admission on declines in health-related quality of life.
The researchers sought to determine the association of an ICU stay with declines in health-related quality of life (HRQoL). prehospital. They found that hospitalization is associated with increased risk of impairment in HRQoL after discharge, yet the overall magnitude of this reduction is small and similar between non-ICU hospitalized and critically ill patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS020672.
Citation: Feemster LC, Cooke CR, Rubenfeld GD .
The influence of hospitalization or intensive care unit admission on declines in health-related quality of life.
Ann Am Thorac Soc 2015 Jan;12(1):35-45. doi: 10.1513/AnnalsATS.201404-172OC..
Keywords: Patient Safety, Hospitalization, Quality of Life, Health Status
Diaz OV, Guendelman S, Kuppermann M
Subjective social status and depression symptoms: a prospective study of women with noncancerous pelvic problems.
The investigators sought to examine the effect of community and national subjective social status (SSS) on symptoms of depression in a racially/ethnically diverse sample of adult women with noncancerous uterine conditions. They found that low perceived community social status is predictive of symptoms suggestive of major or other depressive disorder among women with noncancerous uterine conditions.
AHRQ-funded; HS011657.
Citation: Diaz OV, Guendelman S, Kuppermann M .
Subjective social status and depression symptoms: a prospective study of women with noncancerous pelvic problems.
Womens Health Issues 2014 Nov-Dec;24(6):649-55. doi: 10.1016/j.whi.2014.07.003.
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Keywords: Depression, Health Status, Pain, Social Determinants of Health, Women
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
Davidoff AJ, Gardner LD, Zuckerman IH
AHRQ Author: Davidoff AJ
Validation of disability status, a claims-based measure of functional status for cancer treatment and outcomes studies.
The researchers implemented and validated a disability status (DS) measure in 4 cohorts of cancer patients. They found that the DS measure is a significant independent predictor of cancer-directed treatment, but unobserved factors continue to play a role in determining treatments.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Davidoff AJ, Gardner LD, Zuckerman IH .
Validation of disability status, a claims-based measure of functional status for cancer treatment and outcomes studies.
Med Care 2014 Jun;52(6):500-10. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000000122.
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Keywords: Cancer, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Disabilities, Health Status, Cancer: Lung Cancer
McGuire TG, Newhouse JP, Normand SL
AHRQ Author: Zuvekas S
Assessing incentives for service-level selection in private health insurance exchanges.
The authors used MEPS data to measure plan incentives by constructing predictive ratios and by measuring incentives based on the predictability and predictiveness of various medical diagnoses. They found that, among the chronic diseases studied, plans have the greatest incentive to skimp on care for cancer, mental health, and substance abuse.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: McGuire TG, Newhouse JP, Normand SL .
Assessing incentives for service-level selection in private health insurance exchanges.
J Health Econ 2014 May;35:47-63. doi: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2014.01.009.
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Keywords: Chronic Conditions, Health Insurance, Health Status, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)