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 DisplayedMellor JM, McInerney M, Garrow RC
The impact of Medicaid expansion on spending and utilization by older low-income Medicare beneficiaries.
This study examined indirect spillover effects of Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid expansions to working-age adults on health care coverage, spending, and utilization by older low-income Medicare beneficiaries. The authors used data from the 2010-2018 Health and Retirement Study survey linked to annual Medicare beneficiary summary files. They estimated individual-level difference-in-differences models of total spending for inpatient, institutional outpatient, physician/professional provider services; inpatient stays, outpatient visits, physician visits; and Medicaid and Part A and B Medicare coverage. They also compared changes in outcomes before and after Medicaid expansion in expansion versus nonexpansion states. The sample included low-income respondents aged 69 and older with linked Medicare data, enrolled in full-year traditional Medicare, and living in the community. ACA Medicaid expansion was associated with a 9.8 percentage point increase in Medicaid coverage, a 4.4 percentage point increase in having any institutional outpatient spending, and a positive but statistically insignificant 2.4 percentage point change in Part B enrollment.
AHRQ-funded; HS025422.
Citation: Mellor JM, McInerney M, Garrow RC .
The impact of Medicaid expansion on spending and utilization by older low-income Medicare beneficiaries.
Health Serv Res 2023 Oct; 58(5):1024-34. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.14155..
Keywords: Medicaid, Medicare, Low-Income, Healthcare Utilization, Healthcare Costs, Health Insurance
Smith K, Padmanabhan P, Chen A
The impacts of the 340B Program on health care quality for low-income patients.
This study’s objective was to assess the effects of hospital 340B eligibility on quality of inpatient care provided to Medicaid and uninsured patients and for all patients. HCUP State Inpatient Data, Hospital Cost Reporting Information System Data, Office of Pharmacy Affairs Information System Data, and the American Hospital Association Annual Survey were all used to extract inpatient data from general acute care hospitals from 2008 to 2014 in 15 states. Data was linked on hospital 340B eligibility and participation. The authors did not find discontinuities in inpatient care quality across the Program eligibility threshold for Medicaid and uninsured patients; specifically, on all-cause mortality, 30-day readmission rates, or other measures. Among insured and non-Medicaid patients, they found discontinuities for acute myocardial infarction and postoperative sepsis mortality.
AHRQ-funded; HS026980.
Citation: Smith K, Padmanabhan P, Chen A .
The impacts of the 340B Program on health care quality for low-income patients.
Health Serv Res 2023 Oct; 58(5):1089-97. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.14204..
Keywords: Low-Income, Hospitals, Vulnerable Populations, Medicaid, Uninsured, Inpatient Care, Quality of Care
Heerman WJ, Sneed NM, Sommer EC
Ultra-processed food consumption and BMI-Z among children at risk for obesity from low-income households.
The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between baseline ultra-processed food consumption in early childhood and child BMI Z-score over 36 months. Among 595 children, median baseline age was 4.3 years, 65.4% had normal weight, 33.8% were overweight, and 0.8% were obese. When compared with low ultra-processed consumption (300 kcals/day), High ultra-processed intake (1300 kcals/day) was related with a 1.2 higher BMI-Z at 36 months for 3-year-olds and a 0.6 higher BMI-Z for 4-year-olds. The difference was not statistically significant for 5-year-olds or overall.
AHRQ-funded; HS026122.
Citation: Heerman WJ, Sneed NM, Sommer EC .
Ultra-processed food consumption and BMI-Z among children at risk for obesity from low-income households.
Pediatr Obes 2023 Aug; 18(8):e13037. doi: 10.1111/ijpo.13037..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Obesity, Low-Income, Nutrition, Vulnerable Populations
Desai SM, Padmanabhan P, Chen AZ
Hospital concentration and low-income populations: evidence from New York State Medicaid.
The purpose of this study was to utilize comprehensive discharge data from New York State to assess the effects of changes in market concentration on hospital-level inpatient Medicaid volumes. The study found that for the average hospital, a one percent increase in HHI led to a 0.6% decrease in the number of Medicaid admissions. The strongest effects were on admissions for birth. These hospital-level decreases primarily reflect redistribution of Medicaid patients across hospitals, rather than overall reductions in hospitalizations for Medicaid patients. Specifically, hospital concentration leads to a redistribution of admissions from non-profit hospitals to public hospitals. The researchers found evidence that for births, physicians serving high proportions of Medicaid beneficiaries experience decreased admissions as concentration increased.
AHRQ-funded; HS026980.
Citation: Desai SM, Padmanabhan P, Chen AZ .
Hospital concentration and low-income populations: evidence from New York State Medicaid.
J Health Econ 2023 Jul; 90:102770. doi: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2023.102770..
Keywords: Hospitals, Low-Income, Medicaid
Apathy NC, Dixit RA, Boxley CL
Variations in physician telemedicine provision.
This study’s objective was to quantify physician variation in telemedicine provisions and the extent to which telemedicine use is explainable by the individual physician, adjusting for temporal, patient, and visit factors. This cross-sectional study used data on adult primary care visits across MedStar Health, Stanford Health Care, and Intermountain Healthcare systems. Primary care physicians who conducted at least 1000 visits between March 13, 2020 and December 31, 2021 were included. Primary care visits were defined in the electronic health record and scheduling systems as completed outpatient visits with those included primary care physicians. The sample consisted of 2,410,471 visits total, with 25.6% via telemedicine seen by 729 physicians. Substantial variation in telemedicine provision was shown across physicians. At least 237 physicians (32.5%) had at least 1 high-outlier week of telemedicine provision. Patient demographics only accounted for 2.3% of the variation in telemedicine use, with the site accounting for 16.3% of the variation. Residual (unexplained) variation accounted for more than half of the explanations. Telemedicine use has slowly declined, largely due to the lack of physical examinations.
AHRQ-funded; HS028255.
Citation: Apathy NC, Dixit RA, Boxley CL .
Variations in physician telemedicine provision.
JAMA Netw Open 2023 Jul; 6(7):e2321955. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.21955..
Keywords: Low-Income, Social Determinants of Health, Outcomes, Risk
Roberts ET, Kwon Y, Hames AG
Racial and ethnic disparities in health care use and access associated with loss of Medicaid supplemental insurance eligibility above the federal poverty level.
The purpose of this study was to examine whether exceeding the income threshold for Medicaid, which causes a sudden loss of Medicaid eligibility, is related with higher racial and ethnic disparities in access to and use of care. The researchers evaluated Medicare beneficiaries with incomes 0% to 200% of FPL from the 2008 to 2018 biennial waves of the Health and Retirement Study linked to Medicare administrative data. To identify racial and ethnic disparities related with the loss of Medicaid eligibility, the researchers compared discontinuities in outcomes among Black and Hispanic beneficiaries and White beneficiaries. Analyses were conducted between January 1, 2022, and October 1, 2022. The primary outcomes were patient-reported challenges accessing care due to cost and outpatient service use, medication fills, and hospitalizations measured from Medicare administrative data. The study included 8,144 participants representing 151,282, 957 weighted person-years in the community-dwelling population of Medicare beneficiaries aged 50 years and older and incomes less than 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL). Study findings indicate that exceeding the Medicaid eligibility threshold was related with a 43.8 percentage point (pp) lower probability of Medicaid enrollment among Black and Hispanic Medicare beneficiaries and a 31.0 pp lower probability of Medicaid enrollment among White beneficiaries. Among Black and Hispanic beneficiaries, exceeding the threshold was associated with increased cost-related barriers to care, lower outpatient use, and fewer medication fills, but it was not associated with a statistically significant discontinuity in hospitalizations. Discontinuities in these outcomes were smaller or nonsignificant among White beneficiaries. Consequently, exceeding the threshold was associated with widened disparities, including greater reductions in outpatient service use and medication fills among Black and Hispanic vs White beneficiaries.
AHRQ-funded; HS026727.
Citation: Roberts ET, Kwon Y, Hames AG .
Racial and ethnic disparities in health care use and access associated with loss of Medicaid supplemental insurance eligibility above the federal poverty level.
JAMA Intern Med 2023 Jun; 183(6):534-43. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.0512..
Keywords: Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Medicaid, Access to Care, Health Insurance, Low-Income, Access to Care
Kim B, Troxel WM, Dubowitz T
Neighborhood built environment and sleep health: a longitudinal study in low-income and predominantly African-American neighborhoods.
The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between physical characteristics of neighborhoods and sleep health outcomes and evaluated the mediating role of physical activity in these relationships. The researchers conducted the longitudinal Pittsburgh Hill/Homewood Research on Eating, Shopping, and Health (PHRESH) Zzz Study in 2 low-income, primarily African-American neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (n = 1,051). The study included repeated measures of neighborhood characteristics and sleep health outcomes from 2013 to 2018, and systematic field observations captured built environment measures of walkability, urban design, and neighborhood disorder. Sleep health outcomes included insufficient sleep, sleep duration, wakefulness after sleep onset, and sleep efficiency. Urban design features were correlated with lower levels of wakefulness after sleep onset. Neighborhood disorder and crime rate were negatively related with sleep efficiency. Neighborhood walkability was not associated with sleep outcomes.
AHRQ-funded; HS026120.
Citation: Kim B, Troxel WM, Dubowitz T .
Neighborhood built environment and sleep health: a longitudinal study in low-income and predominantly African-American neighborhoods.
Am J Epidemiol 2023 May 5; 192(5):736-47. doi: 10.1093/aje/kwad016..
Keywords: Sleep Problems, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Low-Income
Jazowski SA, Samuel-Ryals CA, Wood WA
Association between low-income subsidies and inequities in orally administered antimyeloma therapy use.
This study’s goal was to determine the association between low-income subsidies and inequities in orally administered antimyeloma therapy use. This retrospective cohort study used Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare data to identify beneficiaries diagnosed with multiple myeloma between 2007 and 2015. The authors examined therapy initiation in the 30, 60, and 90 days following diagnosis and adherence to and discontinuation of treatment in the 180 days following initiation. They found that receipt of full subsidies was not associated with earlier initiation of or improved adherence to orally administered antimyeloma therapy. Full-subsidy enrollees were 22% more likely to experience earlier treatment discontinuation than nonsubsidy enrollees. Black full-subsidy and nonsubsidy enrollees were 14% less likely than their White counterparts to ever initiate treatment.
AHRQ-funded; HS026122.
Citation: Jazowski SA, Samuel-Ryals CA, Wood WA .
Association between low-income subsidies and inequities in orally administered antimyeloma therapy use.
Am J Manag Care 2023 May; 29(5):246-54. doi: 10.37765/ajmc.2023.89357..
Keywords: Healthcare Costs, Medication, Low-Income
Wu AJ, Du N, Chen TY
Sociodemographic differences of hospitalization and associations of resource utilization for failure to thrive.
The objective of this study was to examine sociodemographic differences between elective and nonelective admissions for failure to thrive. Researchers investigated associations between admission type and hospital resource utilization, including length of stay and feeding tube placement. The study included data on children less than 2 years old with failure to thrive in the Kids' Inpatient Database. The findings showed differences by race and ethnicity, income, and insurance type, among other factors. Nonelective admissions had higher proportions of infants who were Black, Hispanic, and of lower-income, and were associated with longer lengths of stay. The researchers concluded that future research is needed to elucidate drivers of these differences, particularly those related to racial and ethnic disparities and structural racism.
AHRQ-funded; HS000063.
Citation: Wu AJ, Du N, Chen TY .
Sociodemographic differences of hospitalization and associations of resource utilization for failure to thrive.
J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2023 Mar;76(3):385-89. doi: 10.1097/mpg.0000000000003694.
Keywords: Newborns/Infants, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Hospitalization, Healthcare Utilization, Children/Adolescents, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Low-Income
Darling KE, Warnick J, Guthrie KM
Weight management engagement for teens from low-income backgrounds: qualitative perspectives from adolescents and caregivers.
Adolescents from low-income backgrounds are at a higher risk for obesity and obesity-related negative health outcomes. In addition, these adolescents have lower access to, and success in, weight management (WM) programs. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore engagement in a hospital-based WM program from the adolescent and caregiver perspective at varying levels of program initiation and engagement. The researchers conducted qualitative interviews with 55 participants, including 29 adolescents and 26 caregivers. This included: a) those who were referred to WM treatment, but never initiated (non-initiators); b) those who dropped out from treatment; and c) those who that had continuous participation in treatment (engaged). The study found that participants across all groups reported that they did not have a complete understanding of the scope or goals of the WM program after initial referral. In addition, many participants identified misperceptions of the program (e.g., perceptions of a screening visit as compared to an intensive program). Both caregivers and adolescents identified caregivers as drivers of engagement, with adolescents often tentative about participation in the program. However, engaged adolescents found the program valuable and sought ongoing participation following caregiver initiation.
AHRQ-funded; HS02707.
Citation: Darling KE, Warnick J, Guthrie KM .
Weight management engagement for teens from low-income backgrounds: qualitative perspectives from adolescents and caregivers.
J Pediatr Psychol 2023 Feb 15; 48(7):593-601. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsad008..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Obesity: Weight Management, Obesity, Low-Income, Patient and Family Engagement
Sonik RA, Coleman-Jensen A, Creedon TB
SNAP participation and emergency department use.
The objectives of this study were to examine whether Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation is associated with emergency department use among low-income children, and whether any such association is mediated by household food hardship and child health status and/or moderated by special health care needs (SHCN) status. Researched pooled cross-sectional samples of children in low-income households from 2016-19 National Survey of Children's Health. SNAP participation was found to be associated with lower likelihoods of emergency department use. The researchers concluded that food hardship relief may improve outcomes for vulnerable children as well as the health systems that serve them.
poverty food
Citation: Sonik RA, Coleman-Jensen A, Creedon TB .
SNAP participation and emergency department use.
Pediatrics 2023 Feb;151(2):e2022058247. doi: 10.1542/peds.2022-058247.
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Nutrition, Vulnerable Populations, Low-Income, Emergency Department
Blebu BE, Kuppermann M, Coleman-Phox K
A qualitative exploration of experiences accessing community and social services among pregnant low-income people of color during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to heightened social and economic stressors for expectant individuals. Although community and social services exist to alleviate stressors during pregnancy (e.g., food insecurity and financial difficulties) and decrease the likelihood of negative maternal outcomes, it remains uncertain how the pandemic influenced access to these resources, especially among low-income communities of color. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of low-income pregnant individuals of color in accessing community and social service resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. This qualitative study on COVID-related factors recruited participants from two sources—a prospective comparative effectiveness study comparing two enhanced prenatal care models and the California Black Infant Health Program between August and November 2020. The researchers conducted 62 interviews with Medicaid-eligible participants in California's Central Valley, asking them to describe their pregnancy-related experiences and the perceived impact of the pandemic on these experiences. The study identified two overarching themes: obstacles in accessing community and social service resources during the pandemic and potential avenues for enhancing access to these resources. Sub-themes regarding challenges encountered encompassed issues with remote access, complex registration procedures for community and social services, and concerns specific to COVID-19 resources (e.g., testing). Sub-themes associated with opportunities for improved access included capitalizing on instrumental support from perinatal staff and informational (e.g., practical) support from other community programs and pregnant peers. Participants suggested improved client experiences could be achieved through increased transparency and enhanced patient-provider communication.
AHRQ-funded; HS026407
Citation: Blebu BE, Kuppermann M, Coleman-Phox K .
A qualitative exploration of experiences accessing community and social services among pregnant low-income people of color during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Womens Health 2023 Jan-Dec;19:17455057231156792. doi: 10.1177/17455057231156792.
Keywords: COVID-19, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Low-Income, Women, Pregnancy, Public Health
Auty SG, Aswani MS, Wahbi RN
Changes in health care access by race, income, and Medicaid expansion during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This study examined changes in access to care during the COVID-19 pandemic, stratified by race/ethnicity, household income, and state Medicaid expansion status. Data were extracted for all adults (N = 1,731,699) aged 18-64 surveyed in the 2015-2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The pandemic was associated with a 1.2 percentage point decline in uninsurance for Medicaid expansion states, with reductions concentrated among respondents who were Black, multiracial, or low income. Rates of uninsurance were generally stable in nonexpansion states. Rates of avoided care because of cost fell by 3.5 percentage points in Medicaid expansion states, and by 3.6 percentage points in nonexpansion states. These declines were also concentrated among minority or low-income respondents.
AHRQ-funded; HS026395.
Citation: Auty SG, Aswani MS, Wahbi RN .
Changes in health care access by race, income, and Medicaid expansion during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Med Care 2023 Jan;61(1):45-49. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001788..
Keywords: COVID-19, Access to Care, Medicaid, Public Health, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Low-Income
Soulsby WD, Lawson E, Pantell MS
Cumulative social disadvantage associated with childhood arthritis: a cross-sectional analysis of the National Survey of Children's Health.
The purpose of this cross-sectional analysis study was to explore cumulative social disadvantage on childhood arthritis. The researchers developed a cumulative social disadvantage score, assigning 1 point to each of the following variables with a maximum total score of 4: low guardian education (high school or less), low household income level (0-199% of federal poverty level), underinsured status (public or uninsured), and a high adverse childhood experience (ACE) score of 4 or greater. The study found that of the 131,774 surveys completed, a total of 365 children reported current arthritis. Of those 365, cumulative social disadvantage was related with an arthritis diagnosis, with the greatest odds in those with a total score of 4. Cumulative social disadvantage also was related with higher odds of moderate-to-severe arthritis severity.
AHRQ-funded; HS026383.
Citation: Soulsby WD, Lawson E, Pantell MS .
Cumulative social disadvantage associated with childhood arthritis: a cross-sectional analysis of the National Survey of Children's Health.
Arthritis Care Res 2023 Jan; 75(1):3-8. doi: 10.1002/acr.24991..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Arthritis, Social Determinants of Health, Low-Income
Patel SA, Krasnow M, Long K
Excess 30-day heart failure readmissions and mortality in black patients increases with neighborhood deprivation.
Researchers examined whether neighborhood environment modifies the disparity in 30-day heart failure (HF) readmissions and mortality between Black and White patients in the Southeastern United States. They created a geocoded retrospective cohort of patients hospitalized for acute HF from 2010-2018 within Emory Healthcare. They found that excess 30-day HF readmissions and mortality were present among Black patients in every neighborhood strata and increased with progressive neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation.
AHRQ-funded; HS026081.
Citation: Patel SA, Krasnow M, Long K .
Excess 30-day heart failure readmissions and mortality in black patients increases with neighborhood deprivation.
Circ Heart Fail 2020 Dec;13(12):e007947. doi: 10.1161/circheartfailure.120.007947..
Keywords: Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Hospital Readmissions, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Mortality, Social Determinants of Health, Low-Income, Disparities
Joyce NR, Pfeiffer MR, Zullo AR
Individual and geographic variation in driver's license suspensions: evidence of disparities by race, ethnicity and income.
Using data from the New Jersey Safety Health Outcomes data warehouse 2004-2018, the authors compared characteristics of suspended drivers, their residential census tract, as well as access to public transportation and jobs, by reason for the suspension. They found that 91% of license suspensions were for non-driving-related events, with the most common reason for a suspension being failure to pay a fine. Non-driving-related suspended drivers lived in census tracts with a lower household median income, higher proportion of black and Hispanic residents and higher unemployment rates, but also better walkability scores and better access to public transportation and jobs. They recommended additional work to determine what effect this has for the social and economic well-being of suspended drivers.
AHRQ-funded; HS022998.
Citation: Joyce NR, Pfeiffer MR, Zullo AR .
Individual and geographic variation in driver's license suspensions: evidence of disparities by race, ethnicity and income.
J Transp Health 2020 Dec;19. doi: 10.1016/j.jth.2020.100933..
Keywords: Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Disparities, Low-Income, Vulnerable Populations, Social Determinants of Health
Leifheit KM, Schwartz GL, Pollack CE
Severe housing insecurity during pregnancy: association with adverse birth and infant outcomes.
This study measured the association of severe housing insecurity with adverse birth and infant outcomes. Data was analyzed from 3248 mother-infant dyads enrolled in the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study. This prospective cohort study represented births in 20 large U.S. cities from 1998 to 2000. Severe housing insecurity was defined as threatened eviction or homelessness. Adverse outcomes included low birth weight and/or preterm birth, admission to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or stepdown facility, extended hospitalization after delivery, and infant health and temperament. There were statistically significant associations found between severe housing insecurity during pregnancy and low birth weight and/or preterm births. Housing insecurity and infant fair or poor health and poor temperament were not found to have statistically significant associations. Population attributable fraction (PAF) estimates suggested that up to 3% of adverse birth and infant outcomes could be avoided by eliminating severe housing insecurity among low-income, pregnant women.
AHRQ-funded; HS000046.
Citation: Leifheit KM, Schwartz GL, Pollack CE .
Severe housing insecurity during pregnancy: association with adverse birth and infant outcomes.
Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020 Nov 21;17(22):8659. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17228659..
Keywords: Pregnancy, Labor and Delivery, Vulnerable Populations, Outcomes, Adverse Events, Women, Low-Income, Newborns/Infants
Roberts ET, McGarry BE, Glynn A
Cognition and take-up of the Medicare Savings Programs.
In this study, the investigators examined the association between cognition and Medicare Savings Program (MSP) enrollment among elderly Medicare beneficiaries who qualified for these programs. They also examined enrollment in the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), a separate program that provides premium and cost-sharing assistance in Medicare Part D that Medicare beneficiaries automatically received if they are enrolled in an MSP.
AHRQ-funded; HS026727.
Citation: Roberts ET, McGarry BE, Glynn A .
Cognition and take-up of the Medicare Savings Programs.
JAMA Intern Med 2020 Nov;180(11):1529-31. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.2783..
Keywords: Elderly, Medicare, Health Insurance, Healthcare Costs, Low-Income, Dementia, Neurological Disorders
Fung V, Price M, Nierenberg AA
Assessment of behavioral health services use among low-income Medicare beneficiaries after reductions in coinsurance fees.
This study looked at outcomes from reducing behavioral health care Medicare coinsurance from 50% to 20% from 2009 to 2013. The sample of patients looked at included some diagnosed with SMI (serious mental illness) including schizophrenia, bipolar, or major depressive disorder). Data analysis was performed on 793,275 beneficiaries with SMI in 2008 and compared them with costs in 2013. The mean adjusted out-of-pocket costs for outpatient behavioral care decreased from $132 annually to $64, but the number of visits only increased slightly. No association was found between cost-sharing reductions and changes in behavioral health care visits.
AHRQ-funded; HS024725.
Citation: Fung V, Price M, Nierenberg AA .
Assessment of behavioral health services use among low-income Medicare beneficiaries after reductions in coinsurance fees.
JAMA Netw Open 2020 Oct;3(10):e2019854. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.19854..
Keywords: Medicare, Health Insurance, Depression, Behavioral Health, Low-Income, Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Utilization
Roberts ET, Mehrotra A
Assessment of disparities in digital access among Medicare beneficiaries and implications for telemedicine.
In this study, the investigators examined disparities in digital access (ie, access at home to technology that enables video telemedicine visits) among Medicare beneficiaries by socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. The investigators concluded that the proportion of beneficiaries who lacked digital access was higher among those with low socioeconomic status, those 85 years or older, and in communities of color.
AHRQ-funded; HS026727.
Citation: Roberts ET, Mehrotra A .
Assessment of disparities in digital access among Medicare beneficiaries and implications for telemedicine.
JAMA Intern Med 2020 Oct;180(10):1386-89. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.2666..
Keywords: Elderly, Medicare, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Disparities, Access to Care, Social Determinants of Health, Low-Income, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Khouja T, Burgette JM, Donohue JM
Association between Medicaid expansion, dental coverage policies for adults, and children's receipt of preventive dental services.
Researchers examined whether low-income children's use of preventive dental services is linked to variation in state Medicaid policies that affect parents' access to dental care in Medicaid. Using MEPS data along with Area Health Resources File and Medicaid adult dental coverage policies, they found no change in children's receipt of preventive dental care associated with Medicaid expansions in states that covered vs did not cover preventive dental services for adults. They concluded that factors other than parental access to dental benefits through Medicaid may be more salient determinants of preventive dental care use among low-income children.
AHRQ-funded; HS026727.
Citation: Khouja T, Burgette JM, Donohue JM .
Association between Medicaid expansion, dental coverage policies for adults, and children's receipt of preventive dental services.
Health Serv Res 2020 Oct;55(5):642-50. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.13324..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Children/Adolescents, Dental and Oral Health, Medicaid, Health Insurance, Low-Income, Access to Care, Policy
Aguilera A, Figueroa CA, Hernandez-Ramos R
mHealth app using machine learning to increase physical activity in diabetes and depression: clinical trial protocol for the DIAMANTE study.
In this randomized controlled trial, the researchers’ goal is to examine the effect of a text-messaging smartphone application to encourage physical activity in low-income ethnic minority patients with comorbid diabetes and depression. They will compare passively collected daily step counts, self-reported PHQ-8 and most recent hemoglobin A1c from medical records at baseline and at intervention completion at 6-month follow-up. They plan to submit manuscripts describing their user-designed methods and testing of the adaptive learning algorithm and will submit the results of the trial for publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at scientific meetings.
AHRQ-funded; HS025429.
Citation: Aguilera A, Figueroa CA, Hernandez-Ramos R .
mHealth app using machine learning to increase physical activity in diabetes and depression: clinical trial protocol for the DIAMANTE study.
BMJ Open 2020 Aug 20;10(8):e034723. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034723..
Keywords: Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Diabetes, Chronic Conditions, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Low-Income, Health Promotion
Pollack LM, Ekwueme DU, Hung MC Pollack LM, Ekwueme DU, Hung MC, Pollack LM, Ekwueme DU, Hung MC Pollack LM, Ekwueme DU, Hung MC, Hung MC
Estimating the impact of increasing cervical cancer screening in the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program among low-income women in the USA.
The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) provides free cervical cancer screening to low-income women. This study estimated the health benefits gained in terms of life years (LYs) saved and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained if cervical cancer screening by the NBCCEDP increased to reach more eligible women. The investigators found that the reported estimates emphasized the value of cervical cancer screening program by extending LE in low-income women.
Citation: Pollack LM, Ekwueme DU, Hung MC Pollack LM, Ekwueme DU, Hung MC, Pollack LM, Ekwueme DU, Hung MC Pollack LM, Ekwueme DU, Hung MC, Hung MC .
Estimating the impact of increasing cervical cancer screening in the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program among low-income women in the USA.
Cancer Causes Control 2020 Jul;31(7):691-702. doi: 10.1007/s10552-020-01314-z..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Cancer: Cervical Cancer, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Screening, Women, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Low-Income
Jannat-Khah DP, Khodneva Y, Bryant K
Depressive symptoms do not discriminate: racial and economic influences between time-varying depressive symptoms and mortality among REGARDS participants.
This study examined whether time-varying depressive symptoms (TVDS) predict mortality and if racial and income differences moderate the association in a large cohort. The cohort from the REGARDS study was used to look at that determination. The REGARDS study used community-dwelling U.S. adults aged 45 years or older. They found that there was similar and statistically significant differences with white, black, and low-income ($35,000 or less) participants for the association between TVDS and mortality. High-income participants were found to have a lower hazard.
AHRQ-funded; HS025198.
Citation: Jannat-Khah DP, Khodneva Y, Bryant K .
Depressive symptoms do not discriminate: racial and economic influences between time-varying depressive symptoms and mortality among REGARDS participants.
Ann Epidemiol 2020 Jun;46:31-40.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2020.04.004..
Keywords: Depression, Behavioral Health, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Cardiovascular Conditions, Cancer, Low-Income, Social Determinants of Health, Mortality
Fiori KP, Rehm CD, Sanderson D
Integrating social needs screening and community health workers in primary care: the community linkage to care program.
This study used logistic regression to identify factors associated with successful social service uptake in an urban pediatric practice. Out of 4948 households screened for social needs from December 2017 to November 2018, 20% self-reported at least one factor. Only 43% of the 287 households with unmet needs reported social service uptake. Greater than 4 outreach encounters were significantly associated with successful referrals. This study suggests the need for additional research and an opportunity for further program optimization.
AHRQ-funded; HS026396.
Citation: Fiori KP, Rehm CD, Sanderson D .
Integrating social needs screening and community health workers in primary care: the community linkage to care program.
Clin Pediatr 2020 Jun;59(6):547-56. doi: 10.1177/0009922820908589..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Community-Based Practice, Primary Care, Social Determinants of Health, Implementation, Low-Income