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 39 Research Studies DisplayedAbdus S, Keenan PS
AHRQ Author: Abdus S, Keenan PS
Financial burden of employer-sponsored high-deductible health plans for low-income adults with chronic health conditions.
In this research letter, the authors used 2011-2015 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component data on adults 19 to 64 years of age enrolled in employer-sponsored insurance plans throughout the year to examine the burden of high deductible health plans on low income adults with chronic health conditions.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Abdus S, Keenan PS .
Financial burden of employer-sponsored high-deductible health plans for low-income adults with chronic health conditions.
JAMA Intern Med 2018 Dec;178(12):1706-08. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.4706..
Keywords: Chronic Conditions, Healthcare Costs, Health Insurance, Low-Income, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)
Zuckerman KE, Chavez AE, Regalado Murillo C
Disparities in familiarity with developmental disabilities among low-income parents.
Parent knowledge about developmental disabilities (DDs) may facilitate access to DD care; however, parents may vary in their knowledge and familiarity with common DDs. The objective of this study was to assess racial/ethnic and language differences in low-income families' familiarity, knowledge, and personal experience with DDs. The investigators concluded that low-income Latino-LEP and other race parents have less familiarity or personal experience with DDs and are less aware of early signs of DDs compared to low-income white parents.
AHRQ-funded; HS000063.
Citation: Zuckerman KE, Chavez AE, Regalado Murillo C .
Disparities in familiarity with developmental disabilities among low-income parents.
Acad Pediatr 2018 Nov - Dec;18(8):944-51. doi: 10.1016/j.acap.2018.06.011..
Keywords: Disabilities, Children/Adolescents, Caregiving, Health Literacy, Low-Income, Vulnerable Populations, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Wolf ER, Hochheimer CJ, Sabo RT
Gaps in well-child care attendance among primary care clinics serving low-income families.
This retrospective cohort study of children 0 to 6 years old between 2011 and 2016 within 2 health networks spanning 20 states, sought to determine which specific well-child visits (WCVs) are most frequently missed and whether age-specific patterns of attendance differ by race or insurance type. The investigators found that the 15- and 18-month WCVs as well as the 4-year WCV are the least frequently attended WCVs.
AHRQ-funded; HS024270.
Citation: Wolf ER, Hochheimer CJ, Sabo RT .
Gaps in well-child care attendance among primary care clinics serving low-income families.
Pediatrics 2018 Nov;142(5). doi: 10.1542/peds.2017-4019..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Low-Income, Children/Adolescents, Primary Care
Bradley CJ, Neumark D, Walker LS
The effect of primary care visits on other health care utilization: a randomized controlled trial of cash incentives offered to low income, uninsured adults in Virginia.
Investigators recruited low-income uninsured adults in Virginia to determine whether cash incentives would encourage primary care provider (PCP) visits as opposed to going to the hospital emergency room. This randomized, controlled trial determined that PCP visits did increase but no reductions in overall costs occurred there was an offset from increased outpatient utilization.
AHRQ-funded; HS022534.
Citation: Bradley CJ, Neumark D, Walker LS .
The effect of primary care visits on other health care utilization: a randomized controlled trial of cash incentives offered to low income, uninsured adults in Virginia.
J Health Econ 2018 Nov;62:121-33. doi: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2018.07.006..
Keywords: Healthcare Utilization, Health Insurance, Low-Income, Primary Care, Uninsured, Vulnerable Populations
Keenan PS, Jacobs PD, Miller GE
AHRQ Author: Kennan PS, Jacobs PD, Miller GE
Despite coverage gains, one-third of people in small-firm low-income families were uninsured in 2014-15.
Using data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, the investigators examined health insurance coverage for workers at small firms and the self-employed and found that the overall uninsurance rate for these workers and their families declined by 5 percentage points over the past decade, but one-third of those with lower incomes remained uninsured in 2014-15.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Keenan PS, Jacobs PD, Miller GE .
Despite coverage gains, one-third of people in small-firm low-income families were uninsured in 2014-15.
Health Aff 2018 Oct;37(10):1673-77. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2018.0479..
Keywords: Health Insurance, Low-Income, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Uninsured
Schnall R, Cho H, Mangone A
Mobile health technology for improving symptom management in low income persons living with HIV.
This study aimed to examine the impact of an mHealth application (app), comprised of evidence-based self-care strategies, on the symptom experience of persons living with HIV (PLWH). In this 12-week trial, an mHealth app, mobile Video Information Provider (mVIP), was associated with improved symptom burden and increased medication adherence in PLWH.
AHRQ-funded; HS023963.
Citation: Schnall R, Cho H, Mangone A .
Mobile health technology for improving symptom management in low income persons living with HIV.
AIDS Behav 2018 Oct;22(10):3373-83. doi: 10.1007/s10461-017-2014-0..
Keywords: Chronic Conditions, Health Information Technology (HIT), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Low-Income, Vulnerable Populations
Sen AP, Chen LM, Wong Samson L
Performance in the Medicare Shared Savings Program by accountable care organizations disproportionately serving dual and disabled populations.
The purpose of this study was to examine performance by accountable care organizations (ACOs) in the top quintile of their proportion of beneficiaries who were dually enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid (high-dual), and the top quintile of disabled beneficiaries (high-disabled). Measures used were quality scores, savings per beneficiary, whether or not the ACO shared savings and the amount of shared savings. The researchers found that high-dual and high-disabled ACOs had similar or higher spending than other ACOs at baseline, but achieved greater savings and were equally or more likely to earn shared savings; alternative payment models can have positive financial outcomes for providers serving vulnerable populations.
AHRQ-funded; HS024698.
Citation: Sen AP, Chen LM, Wong Samson L .
Performance in the Medicare Shared Savings Program by accountable care organizations disproportionately serving dual and disabled populations.
Med Care 2018 Sep;56(9):805-11. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000000968..
Keywords: Disabilities, Medicare, Healthcare Costs, Provider Performance, Payment, Low-Income, Vulnerable Populations
Wong MS, Roberts ET, Arnold CM
HUD housing assistance and levels of physical activity among low-income adults.
The objective of this study was to assess whether participation in HUD housing assistance programs was associated with increased physical activity among low-income adults. The investigators found that receiving HUD housing assistance was associated with being physically active among nonsenior low-income adults.
AHRQ-funded; HS000029.
Citation: Wong MS, Roberts ET, Arnold CM .
HUD housing assistance and levels of physical activity among low-income adults.
Prev Chronic Dis 2018 Jul 19;15:E94. doi: 10.5888/pcd15.170517..
Keywords: Lifestyle Changes, Low-Income, Vulnerable Populations
Gorski Findling MT, Wolfson JA, Rimm EB
Differences in the neighborhood retail food environment and obesity among US children and adolescents by SNAP participation.
The authors sought to understand the association between children's neighborhood food access and overweight/obesity in a national sample of US households, and whether this association differs by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation or household purchases. Using data from the National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey, 2012-2013, they found that the odds of childhood overweight/obesity were higher with greater access to combination grocery/other stores overall and for children in SNAP. Eligible non-SNAP children had higher odds of overweight/obesity with greater access to convenience stores. The average child lived in a household with 6.3% of total spending at food outlets on sugary beverages. They concluded that greater neighborhood access to combination grocery/other stores is associated with higher obesity prevalence for children overall and those in SNAP.
AHRQ-funded; HS000055.
Citation: Gorski Findling MT, Wolfson JA, Rimm EB .
Differences in the neighborhood retail food environment and obesity among US children and adolescents by SNAP participation.
Obesity 2018 Jun;26(6):1063-71. doi: 10.1002/oby.22184.
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Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Low-Income, Nutrition, Obesity, Social Determinants of Health
Goodman SM, Mandi LA, Mehta B
Does education level mitigate the effect of poverty on total knee arthroplasty outcomes?
The authors assessed the interaction between education and poverty on 2-year Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain and function. They found that having no college was associated with worse pain and function at baseline and 2 years and that living in a poor neighborhood was associated with worse 2-year pain and function. There was a strong interaction between individual education and community poverty with WOMAC scores at 2 years. Patients without college living in poor communities had pain scores that were ~10 points worse than those with some college; in wealthy communities, college was associated with a 1-point difference in pain. Function was similar. The authors recommended further study on how education protects those in impoverished communities.
AHRQ-funded; HS016075.
Citation: Goodman SM, Mandi LA, Mehta B .
Does education level mitigate the effect of poverty on total knee arthroplasty outcomes?
Arthritis Care Res 2018 Jun;70(6):884-91. doi: 10.1002/acr.23442..
Keywords: Arthritis, Education, Low-Income, Orthopedics, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Social Determinants of Health
Cheng TL, Mistry KB, Wang G
AHRQ Author: Mistry KB
Folate nutrition status in mothers of the Boston birth cohort, sample of a US urban low-income population.
Researchers examined maternal folic acid supplementation and plasma folate concentrations in the Boston Birth Cohort, a predominantly urban, low-income, minority population. Their findings indicated that fewer than 5 percent of mothers in the Boston Birth Cohort started folic acid supplements before pregnancy, and approximately one third of mothers had either too low or too high plasma folate levels.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Cheng TL, Mistry KB, Wang G .
Folate nutrition status in mothers of the Boston birth cohort, sample of a US urban low-income population.
Am J Public Health 2018 Jun;108(6):799-807. doi: 10.2105/ajph.2018.304355.
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Keywords: Nutrition, Maternal Care, Low-Income, Urban Health, Rural/Inner-City Residents
Fiechtner L, Perkins M, Biggs V
Rationale and design of the Clinic and Community Approaches to Healthy Weight Randomized Trial.
Recent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of family-centered, pediatric weight management programs in reducing childhood obesity. Yet, programs to optimize the care of low-income children with obesity are needed. The investigators sought to examine the comparative effectiveness of two, potentially scalable pediatric weight management programs delivered to low-income children in a clinical or community setting.
AHRQ-funded; HS024332; HS022986.
Citation: Fiechtner L, Perkins M, Biggs V .
Rationale and design of the Clinic and Community Approaches to Healthy Weight Randomized Trial.
Contemp Clin Trials 2018 Apr;67:16-22. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2018.01.002..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Obesity: Weight Management, Obesity, Low-Income, Vulnerable Populations, Nutrition, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Family Health and History, Evidence-Based Practice, Comparative Effectiveness
Han B, Cohen DA, Derose KP
Violent crime and park use in low-income urban neighborhoods.
This study aimed to assess the association between crime rates and use of local parks in low-income urban neighborhoods. The study concluded that gun-related violent crimes have relatively long-term negative associations with population health by reducing utilization of outdoor park space.
AHRQ-funded; HS000046.
Citation: Han B, Cohen DA, Derose KP .
Violent crime and park use in low-income urban neighborhoods.
Am J Prev Med 2018 Mar;54(3):352-58. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2017.10.025..
Keywords: Low-Income, Urban Health
Cardet JC, Louisias M, King TS
Income is an independent risk factor for worse asthma outcomes.
The authors investigated whether low income, low education, and high perceived stress were independent risk factors for treatment failure and asthma exacerbations in the context of a randomized controlled trial. They found that participants with lower income were more likely to experience adverse asthma outcomes independent of education, perceived stress, race, and medication adherence.
AHRQ-funded; HS022986.
Citation: Cardet JC, Louisias M, King TS .
Income is an independent risk factor for worse asthma outcomes.
J Allergy Clin Immunol 2018 Feb;141(2):754-60.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2017.04.036..
Keywords: Asthma, Chronic Conditions, Low-Income, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Risk, Social Determinants of Health
Davis MM, Freeman M, Shannon J
A systematic review of clinic and community intervention to increase fecal testing for colorectal cancer in rural and low-income populations in the United States - how, what and when?
Researchers conducted this systematic review to determine how implementation strategies and contextual factors influenced the uptake of interventions to increase fecal testing for colorectal cancer in rural and low-income populations. They found that provision of kits through the mail, use of pre-addressed stamped envelopes, client reminders and in-clinic distribution appeared most frequently in the highly effective/effective clinic-based study arms. Few studies described contextual factors or implementation strategies.
AHRQ-funded; HS022981.
Citation: Davis MM, Freeman M, Shannon J .
A systematic review of clinic and community intervention to increase fecal testing for colorectal cancer in rural and low-income populations in the United States - how, what and when?
BMC Cancer 2018 Jan 6;18(1):40. doi: 10.1186/s12885-017-3813-4.
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Keywords: Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Health Promotion, Low-Income, Rural Health, Screening
Akwo EA, Kabagambe EK, Harrell FE, Jr.
Neighborhood deprivation predicts heart failure risk in a low-income population of blacks and whites in the southeastern United States.
The researchers investigated whether neighborhood deprivation predicts risk of incident heart failure (HF) beyond individual socioeconomic status in a low-income population. They concluded that, in a low-income population from the Southern Community Cohort Study, scant neighborhood resources compounded the risk of HF above and beyond individual socioeconomic status and traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
AHRQ-funded; HS022990.
Citation: Akwo EA, Kabagambe EK, Harrell FE, Jr. .
Neighborhood deprivation predicts heart failure risk in a low-income population of blacks and whites in the southeastern United States.
Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2018 Jan;11(1):e004052. doi: 10.1161/circoutcomes.117.004052.
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Keywords: Heart Disease and Health, Low-Income, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Risk, Social Determinants of Health
Quan J, Lee AK, Handley MA
Automated telephone self-management support for diabetes in a low-income health plan: a health care utilization and cost analysis.
The objective was to determine whether automated telephone self-management support for low-income, linguistically diverse health plan members with diabetes affects health care utilization or cost. It found no significant differences in emergency department visits and hospitalizations or in costs.
AHRQ-funded; HS020684; HS017261; HS022561.
Citation: Quan J, Lee AK, Handley MA .
Automated telephone self-management support for diabetes in a low-income health plan: a health care utilization and cost analysis.
Popul Health Manag 2015 Dec;18(6):412-20. doi: 10.1089/pop.2014.0154.
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Keywords: Diabetes, Chronic Conditions, Patient Self-Management, Low-Income, Healthcare Costs
Waehrer G, Deb P, Decker SL
AHRQ Author: Decker SL
Did the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act affect dietary intake of low-income individuals?
This paper examines the relationship between increased Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits following the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and the diet quality of individuals from SNAP-eligible compared to ineligible (those with somewhat higher income). In the full sample, we find that these increases in SNAP benefits are not associated with changes in nutrient intake and diet quality.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Waehrer G, Deb P, Decker SL .
Did the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act affect dietary intake of low-income individuals?
Econ Hum Biol 2015 Dec;19:170-83. doi: 10.1016/j.ehb.2015.08.006..
Keywords: Nutrition, Social Determinants of Health, Low-Income, Vulnerable Populations
Whittle HJ, Palar K, Napoles T
Experiences with food insecurity and risky sex among low-income people living with HIV/AIDS in a resource-rich setting.
The researchers investigated the perceived effects of food insecurity on risky sexual behaviors among a population of low-income people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) in San Francisco and Alameda County, California. Their study demonstrated that food insecurity contributes to transactional and unprotected sex among urban poor individuals in a resource-rich setting, including among men who have sex with men.
AHRQ-funded; HS000046.
Citation: Whittle HJ, Palar K, Napoles T .
Experiences with food insecurity and risky sex among low-income people living with HIV/AIDS in a resource-rich setting.
J Int AIDS Soc 2015 Nov 4;18:20293. doi: 10.7448/ias.18.1.20293..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Nutrition, Lifestyle Changes, Low-Income, Social Determinants of Health
Chao MT, Handley MA, Quan J
Disclosure of complementary health approaches among low income and racially diverse safety net patients with diabetes.
The authors identified sociodemographic and communication factors associated with disclosure of complementary health approaches to providers by low-income patients with diabetes. Disclosure was associated with language concordance, physicians' interpersonal communication scores, shared decision making, and explanatory-type communication.
AHRQ-funded; HS020684; HS017261; HS022561.
Citation: Chao MT, Handley MA, Quan J .
Disclosure of complementary health approaches among low income and racially diverse safety net patients with diabetes.
Patient Educ Couns 2015 Nov;98(11):1360-6. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2015.06.011.
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Keywords: Low-Income, Diabetes, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Healthcare Delivery
Kennedy-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
Ndumele CD, Sommers BD, Trivedi AN
The ACA's 65th birthday challenge: moving from Medicaid to Medicare.
Following the Affordable Care Act’s coverage expansion, many newly-insured older enrollees will lose Medicaid coverage on their 65th birthday and transition from Medicaid to Medicare as their primary insurer. This article discusses the transition in primary health insurance coverage that includes changes to benefits, patient cost-sharing, and provider reimbursement, which could have profound consequences on the use of health services and associated health outcomes for low-income seniors.
AHRQ-funded; HS021291.
Citation: Ndumele CD, Sommers BD, Trivedi AN .
The ACA's 65th birthday challenge: moving from Medicaid to Medicare.
J Gen Intern Med 2015 Nov;30(11):1704-6. doi: 10.1007/s11606-015-3328-0..
Keywords: Health Insurance, Medicare, Elderly, Low-Income
Garcia Mosqueira A, Hua LM, Sommers BD
Racial differences in awareness of the Affordable Care Act and application assistance among low-income adults in three Southern states.
The researchers explored potential factors related to racial/ethnic differences in ACA enrollment - awareness of the law and receipt of application assistance such as navigator services. Their results highlight the importance of ACA outreach efforts to increase awareness among low-income and less educated populations to close existing disparities in coverage.
AHRQ-funded; HS021291.
Citation: Garcia Mosqueira A, Hua LM, Sommers BD .
Racial differences in awareness of the Affordable Care Act and application assistance among low-income adults in three Southern states.
Inquiry 2015 Oct 8;52. doi: 10.1177/0046958015609607.
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Keywords: Disparities, Health Insurance, Low-Income, Medicaid, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Golberstein E, Gonzales G, Sommers BD
California's early ACA expansion increased coverage and reduced out-of-pocket spending for the state's low-income population.
The researchers used data from the National Health Interview Survey to examine the impact of California’s Low Income Health Program. Their study demonstrates that the county-by-county rollout of expanded public insurance coverage in California significantly increased coverage, by 7 percentage points, and significantly reduced the likelihood of any family out-of-pocket medical spending in the previous year, by 10 percentage points, among low-income adults.
AHRQ-funded; HS021291.
Citation: Golberstein E, Gonzales G, Sommers BD .
California's early ACA expansion increased coverage and reduced out-of-pocket spending for the state's low-income population.
Health Aff 2015 Oct;34(10):1688-94. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2015.0290..
Keywords: Low-Income, Healthcare Costs, Health Insurance, Uninsured