National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
Latest available findings on quality of and access to health care
Data
- Data Infographics
- Data Visualizations
- Data Tools
- Data Innovations
- All-Payer Claims Database
- Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP)
- Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)
- AHRQ Quality Indicator Tools for Data Analytics
- State Snapshots
- United States Health Information Knowledgebase (USHIK)
- Data Sources Available from AHRQ
Search All Research Studies
AHRQ Research Studies Date
Topics
- Behavioral Health (2)
- Brain Injury (1)
- Cardiovascular Conditions (5)
- Caregiving (2)
- Children/Adolescents (3)
- Dementia (1)
- Depression (1)
- Disparities (4)
- Elderly (3)
- Evidence-Based Practice (2)
- Guidelines (1)
- Healthcare Utilization (1)
- Heart Disease and Health (3)
- Hospitalization (2)
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (1)
- Injuries and Wounds (1)
- Medicare (1)
- Medication (1)
- Mortality (1)
- Newborns/Infants (1)
- Nutrition (1)
- Obesity (1)
- Obesity: Weight Management (1)
- Opioids (1)
- Outcomes (6)
- Palliative Care (1)
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (2)
- Pneumonia (1)
- Pregnancy (1)
- Prevention (2)
- Quality of Life (1)
- Racial and Ethnic Minorities (5)
- Registries (1)
- Risk (2)
- (-) Sex Factors (17)
- Sexual Health (1)
- Stress (1)
- Substance Abuse (1)
- Surgery (1)
- Trauma (1)
- Vaccination (1)
- Young Adults (1)
AHRQ Research Studies
Sign up: AHRQ Research Studies Email updates
Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 17 of 17 Research Studies DisplayedSutherland S, Brunwasser SM
Sex differences in vulnerability to prenatal stress: a review of the recent literature.
This review evaluates the degree to which recent studies provide evidence that prenatal maternal stress (PNMS) has a varying effect on child health outcomes depending on the child's biological sex. “Stress” includes negative life events, psychological stress, and established stress biomarkers. A review of 50 peer-reviewed articles revealed that most found evidence of either sex-specific associations or significant PNMS (x) stress interactions for at least one outcome. Sex-dependent effects were strongest in the group of studies that evaluated child neural/nervous system development and temperament.
AHRQ-funded; HS022990.
Citation: Sutherland S, Brunwasser SM .
Sex differences in vulnerability to prenatal stress: a review of the recent literature.
Sex differences in vulnerability to prenatal stress: a review of the recent literature.
.
.
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Newborns/Infants, Outcomes, Pregnancy, Sex Factors, Stress
Donato KM, Leon-Perez G, Wallston KA
Something old, something new: when gender matters in the relationship between social support and health.
This paper investigated how social support differentially benefitted self-rated health among men and women hospitalized with heart disease. They found that gender differentiated the effect of nonmarital family contact on health but only when heart disease was newly diagnosed. When newly diagnosed, more frequent contact with family was associated with better self-rated health for women but not men.
AHRQ-funded; HS024898.
Citation: Donato KM, Leon-Perez G, Wallston KA .
Something old, something new: when gender matters in the relationship between social support and health.
J Health Soc Behav 2018 Sep;59(3):352-70. doi: 10.1177/0022146518789362..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Hospitalization, Sex Factors
Angraal S, Khera R, Wang Y
Sex and race differences in the utilization and outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting among Medicare beneficiaries, 1999-2014.
The authors sought to evaluate how the use of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and its outcomes have evolved in different sex and racial subgroups. Using Medicare data, they found that women and black patients had persistently higher CABG mortality than men and white patients, respectively, despite greater declines over the time period. The authors conclude that these findings indicate progress, but further progress is needed.
AHRQ-funded; HS023000.
Citation: Angraal S, Khera R, Wang Y .
Sex and race differences in the utilization and outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting among Medicare beneficiaries, 1999-2014.
J Am Heart Assoc 2018 Jul 12;7(14). doi: 10.1161/jaha.118.009014..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Elderly, Evidence-Based Practice, Heart Disease and Health, Healthcare Utilization, Medicare, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Sex Factors
Gilmore-Bykovskyi A, Johnson R, Walljasper L
Underreporting of gender and race/ethnicity differences in NIH-funded dementia caregiver support interventions.
The objective of this study was to determine the inclusion and reporting rates among NIH-funded dementia caregiver support interventions. Findings suggested limited NIH guideline compliance that may reflect a lack of awareness regarding potential gender disparities in caregiving roles. In order to ensure NIH guideline compliance, shared investments from researchers, editors, and reviewers to make certain that group differences are systematically identified and reported are recommended.
AHRQ-funded; HS022548.
Citation: Gilmore-Bykovskyi A, Johnson R, Walljasper L .
Underreporting of gender and race/ethnicity differences in NIH-funded dementia caregiver support interventions.
Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen 2018 May;33(3):145-52. doi: 10.1177/1533317517749465..
Keywords: Caregiving, Sex Factors, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Guidelines, Dementia, Disparities
Marsh JC, Park K, Lin YA
Gender differences in trends for heroin use and nonmedical prescription opioid use, 2007-2014.
This study uses National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data to study gender differences in trends for heroin use and nonmedical prescription opioid use from 2007-2014. There has been a steady decline in nonmedical prescription heroin use but a notable increase in heroin use during this period for both men and women. However, women are increasing heroin use at a faster rate than men but their nonmedical prescription opioid use is not decreasing as fast as men. The researchers conclude that more study is needed on gender differences in use and treatment access.
AHRQ-funded; HS000084.
Citation: Marsh JC, Park K, Lin YA .
Gender differences in trends for heroin use and nonmedical prescription opioid use, 2007-2014.
J Subst Abuse Treat 2018 Apr;87:79-85. doi: 10.1016/j.jsat.2018.01.001..
Keywords: Medication, Opioids, Sex Factors, Substance Abuse
Lau KSL, Rosenman MB, Wiehe SE
Race/ethnicity, and behavioral health status: first arrest and outcomes in a large sample of juvenile offenders.
The objective of this study was to assess the simultaneous effects of gender, race/ethnicity, and pre-arrest behavioral health (BH) service-use on age at first arrest, and first arrest outcomes. It found that black youth were arrested at younger ages than white or Hispanic youth. Youth with psychiatric problems were arrested at younger ages than youth with substance-use, dual-diagnoses, or no BH problems.
AHRQ-funded; HS024296; HS023318.
Citation: Lau KSL, Rosenman MB, Wiehe SE .
Race/ethnicity, and behavioral health status: first arrest and outcomes in a large sample of juvenile offenders.
J Behav Health Serv Res 2018 Apr;45(2):237-51. doi: 10.1007/s11414-017-9578-3.
.
.
Keywords: Behavioral Health, Outcomes, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Sex Factors
Gupta A, Barrabes JA, Strait K
Sex differences in timeliness of reperfusion in young patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction by initial electrocardiographic characteristics.
Investigators aimed to determine the electrocardiographic correlates of delay in reperfusion in young patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. They found that sex disparities in timeliness to reperfusion in young patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction persisted, despite adjusting for initial electrocardiographic characteristics. They concluded that left ventricular hypertrophy by voltage criteria and absence of prehospital ECG are strongly positively correlated and ST elevation in lateral leads is negatively correlated with reperfusion delay.
AHRQ-funded; HS023000.
Citation: Gupta A, Barrabes JA, Strait K .
Sex differences in timeliness of reperfusion in young patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction by initial electrocardiographic characteristics.
J Am Heart Assoc 2018 Mar 7;7(6). doi: 10.1161/jaha.117.007021..
Keywords: Sex Factors, Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Disparities
Kochkodan J, Telem DA, Ghaferi AA
Physiologic and psychological gender differences in bariatric surgery.
This paper aims to describe differences in bariatric surgery outcomes by gender and to understand the physiologic and psychological differences that may explain this gender gap. It concludes that, despite significantly lower weight loss and increased complication rates, males tend to have markedly higher satisfaction and psychological well-being scores than females.
AHRQ-funded; HS023621; HS024403.
Citation: Kochkodan J, Telem DA, Ghaferi AA .
Physiologic and psychological gender differences in bariatric surgery.
Surg Endosc 2018 Mar;32(3):1382-88. doi: 10.1007/s00464-017-5819-z.
.
.
Keywords: Obesity, Outcomes, Sex Factors, Surgery, Obesity: Weight Management
Sun CJ, Seloilwe ES, Magowe M
Gender differences in sexual and reproductive health protective and risk factors of Batswana adolescents: implications for parent and adolescent interventions.
The HIV epidemic continues in sub-Saharan Africa and Botswana and adolescents there have borne the brunt. This analysis assessed gender differences in sexual and reproductive health protective and risk factors in 228 Batswana adolescents. Although three-quarters of adolescents prefer to have their parents teach them about sex, it is the fourth most common source of information.
AHRQ-funded; HS022981.
Citation: Sun CJ, Seloilwe ES, Magowe M .
Gender differences in sexual and reproductive health protective and risk factors of Batswana adolescents: implications for parent and adolescent interventions.
AIDS Educ Prev 2018 Feb;30(1):35-46. doi: 10.1521/aeap.2018.30.1.35..
Keywords: Caregiving, Children/Adolescents, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Prevention, Risk, Sex Factors, Sexual Health
Womack VY, De Chavez PJ, Albrecht SS
A longitudinal relationship between depressive symptoms and development of metabolic syndrome: the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study.
The researchers tested whether baseline and time-varying depressive symptoms were associated with metabolic syndrome incidence in black and white men and women from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study. They found that, over 15 years, the incidence rate of metabolic syndrome varied by race and sex, with the highest rate in black women followed by white men, black men, and white women. Depressive symptoms were associated with incident metabolic syndrome in white men and white women. However, they found no significant association between depression and metabolic syndrome among black men or black women.
AHRQ-funded; HS023009.
Citation: Womack VY, De Chavez PJ, Albrecht SS .
A longitudinal relationship between depressive symptoms and development of metabolic syndrome: the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study.
Psychosom Med 2016 Sep;78(7):867-73. doi: 10.1097/psy.0000000000000347.
.
.
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Depression, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Sex Factors, Young Adults
de St Maurice A, Schaffner W, Griffin MR
Persistent sex disparities in invasive pneumococcal diseases in the conjugate vaccine era.
The authors examined sex differences in rates of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) and trends after the introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs). They concluded that rates of IPD were generally higher in male than in female subjects.
AHRQ-funded; HS022342.
Citation: de St Maurice A, Schaffner W, Griffin MR .
Persistent sex disparities in invasive pneumococcal diseases in the conjugate vaccine era.
J Infect Dis 2016 Sep 01;214(5):792-7. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiw222.
.
.
Keywords: Pneumonia, Sex Factors, Vaccination, Prevention
Albrecht JS, McCunn M, Stein DM
Sex differences in mortality following isolated traumatic brain injury among older adults.
This retrospective cohort study's objective was to determine the possibility of sex differences in mortality among older adutls following isolated traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to comapre with findings using all TBI. The researchers did not find that women were significantly associated with decreased odds of mortality following isolated TBI.
AHRQ-funded; HS024560.
Citation: Albrecht JS, McCunn M, Stein DM .
Sex differences in mortality following isolated traumatic brain injury among older adults.
J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2016 Sep;81(3):486-92. doi: 10.1097/ta.0000000000001118.
.
.
Keywords: Sex Factors, Trauma, Brain Injury, Mortality, Elderly
Just E, Casarett DJ, Asch DA
Differences in terminal hospitalization care between U.S. men and women.
The authors sought to determine whether men and women receive different care during terminal hospitalizations by examining sex-based differences in lengths of stay, resuscitation status, and intensive interventions and processes of care. They found that. compared with men, women had slightly shorter hospitalizations and were more likely to have a do-not-resuscitate order. Women remained less likely to receive care in an intensive care unit, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, hemodialysis, or surgical procedures. The researchers concluded that men who die in hospitals receive more aggressive care than women.
AHRQ-funded; HS018425.
Citation: Just E, Casarett DJ, Asch DA .
Differences in terminal hospitalization care between U.S. men and women.
J Pain Symptom Manage 2016 Aug;52(2):205-11. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2016.01.013.
.
.
Keywords: Disparities, Palliative Care, Hospitalization, Sex Factors, Elderly
Lipman GS, Krabak BJ, Rundell SD
Incidence and prevalence of acute kidney injury during multistage ultramarathons.
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence, incidence, and risk factors of acute kidney injury (AKI) during multistage ultramarathons. The authors found that prevalence of AKI was 63%-78% during multistage ultramarathons, and that female sex, lower pack weight, and greater weight loss were associated with renal impairment.
AHRQ-funded; HS022982.
Citation: Lipman GS, Krabak BJ, Rundell SD .
Incidence and prevalence of acute kidney injury during multistage ultramarathons.
Clin J Sport Med 2016 Jul;26(4):314-9. doi: 10.1097/jsm.0000000000000253.
.
.
Keywords: Injuries and Wounds, Risk, Sex Factors, Outcomes
Piccini JP, Simon DN, Steinberg BA
Differences in clinical and functional outcomes of atrial fibrillation in women and men: two-year results from the ORBIT-AF Registry.
The purpose of this paper was to determine whether symptoms, quality of life, treatment, and outcomes differ between women and men with atrial fibrillation (AF). The authors found that women with AF have more symptoms and worse quality of life, lower risk-adjusted all-cause and cardiovascular death compared with men, but higher stroke rates.
AHRQ-funded; HS021092.
Citation: Piccini JP, Simon DN, Steinberg BA .
Differences in clinical and functional outcomes of atrial fibrillation in women and men: two-year results from the ORBIT-AF Registry.
JAMA Cardiol 2016 Jun 1;1(3):282-91. doi: 10.1001/jamacardio.2016.0529.
.
.
Keywords: Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Sex Factors, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Outcomes, Quality of Life, Registries, Evidence-Based Practice
Kinasz K, Accurso EC, Kass AE
Does sex matter in the clinical presentation of eating disorders in youth?
The authors compared demographic and clinical characteristics of child and adolescent males and females who presented for eating disorder treatment. They found that males presented at a significantly younger age and were more likely to be nonwhite, while females showed more severe pathology across the Eating Disorder Examination subscales. They suggested further exploration into why the sexes present differently.
AHRQ-funded; HS000078.
Citation: Kinasz K, Accurso EC, Kass AE .
Does sex matter in the clinical presentation of eating disorders in youth?
J Adolesc Health 2016 Apr;58(4):410-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2015.11.005.
.
.
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Behavioral Health, Nutrition, Sex Factors
Lee S, Teschemaker AR, Daniel M
Calcium and vitamin D use among older adults in U.S.: results from national survey.
The investigators conducted this study to describe a 10-year trend of calcium and vitamin D use from 2000 to 2009 and to evaluate age, gender, and racial disparities using national level health data. They found variability in the access to the medications, despite the observed increases associated with calcium and vitamin D supplements.
AHRQ-funded; HS011673.
Citation: Lee S, Teschemaker AR, Daniel M .
Calcium and vitamin D use among older adults in U.S.: results from national survey.
J Nutr Health Aging 2016 Mar;20(3):300-5. doi: 10.1007/s12603-015-0614-9.
.
.
Keywords: Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Sex Factors