National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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Topics
- Access to Care (1)
- Behavioral Health (1)
- Cardiovascular Conditions (1)
- Children/Adolescents (2)
- Depression (2)
- Disparities (3)
- Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) (1)
- Healthcare Costs (2)
- Healthcare Utilization (2)
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- Health Services Research (HSR) (1)
- Health Status (1)
- (-) Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) (12)
- Medication (1)
- Obesity (1)
- Opioids (1)
- Prevention (3)
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- Screening (1)
- (-) Social Determinants of Health (12)
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 12 of 12 Research Studies DisplayedKirby JB, Bernard D, Liang L
AHRQ Author: Kirby JB, Bernard D, Liang L
The prevalence of food insecurity is highest among Americans for whom diet is most critical to health.
This study investigated how widespread food insecurity is among people with diabetes among different insurance types and whether food assistance is adequately addressing the problem. The authors used new data on food insecurity from the AHRQ MEPS in 2016 and 2017. The sample was limited to adults ages 18-64 years. Results found the prevalence of food insecurity was much higher among adults with diabetes compared to those without diabetes (16% vs. 9%). People with diabetes who were taking insulin or who had eye or kidney complications had even rates of food insecurity at 19% and 22%, respectively. Food insecurity prevalence was much higher among Medicaid enrollees compared with those with other types of insurance. Nearly one-third of Medicaid enrollees with diabetes were food insecure, compared with 7% with private insurance. Medicaid enrollees with insulin-dependent diabetes had the highest food insecurity (44%), which is over 6 times higher than their counterparts with private insurance. They also found that a sizable fraction of people with diabetes who were food insecure were not receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Over 80% of people with private insurance did not receive SNAP benefits, likely reflecting SNAP eligibility. However, even among Medicaid enrollees, 29% of people with diabetes were not receiving SNAP, and 68% of the uninsured were not receiving SNAP benefits. Even among SNAP recipients, over 40% of Medicaid enrollees with diabetes remained food insecure.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Kirby JB, Bernard D, Liang L .
The prevalence of food insecurity is highest among Americans for whom diet is most critical to health.
Diabetes Care 2021 Jun;44(6):e131-3132. doi: 10.2337/dc20-3116..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Social Determinants of Health
Moriya AS, Xu L
AHRQ Author: Moriya AS
The complex relationships among race/ethnicity, social determinants, and opioid utilization.
The objective of this study was to examine individual- and community-level factors associated with racial/ethnic differences in individuals' opioid prescription use. The investigators found that the average annual rate of any outpatient opioid prescription use was higher for non-Hispanic whites than for non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics. The smaller difference between non-Hispanic blacks and whites was not explained by the differences in the risk factors, while almost all the difference between Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites could be explained by the differences in the means of the risk factors.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Moriya AS, Xu L .
The complex relationships among race/ethnicity, social determinants, and opioid utilization.
Health Serv Res 2021 Apr;56(2):310-22. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.13619..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Social Determinants of Health, Opioids, Medication, Disparities
Grafova IB, Monheit AC, Kumar R
How do changes in income, employment and health insurance affect family mental health spending?
This study used eight two-year panels from the MEPS data for 2004 to 2012 to examine the effect of economic shocks on mental health spending by families with children. Researchers wanted to determine whether the greatest impact on mental health spending comes from income, employment, or health insurance shocks. They used two-part expenditure models to estimate that employment losses are positively related to an increase in total family mental health expenditures. But no link was found between economic shocks and mental health spending on fathers.
AHRQ-funded; HS024053.
Citation: Grafova IB, Monheit AC, Kumar R .
How do changes in income, employment and health insurance affect family mental health spending?
Rev Econ Househ 2020 Mar;18(1:239-63. doi: 10.1007/s11150-018-9436-y.
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Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Healthcare Costs, Behavioral Health, Social Determinants of Health, Health Insurance
Kato E, Borsky AE, Zuvekas SH
AHRQ Author: Kato E, Borsky AE, Zuvekas SH, Soni A, Ngo-Metzger Q
Missed opportunities for depression screening and treatment in the United States.
This study estimates the prevalence of depression assessment in adults age 35 and older and how prevalence varies by sociodemographic characteristics and depressive symptoms. It found that approximately 50 percent of US adults aged 35+ were being assessed for depression in 2014-2015. Certain populations were more likely to be missed, including men, people over 75 years old, minorities, and the uninsured.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Kato E, Borsky AE, Zuvekas SH .
Missed opportunities for depression screening and treatment in the United States.
J Am Board Fam Med 2018 May-Jun;31(3):389-97. doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2018.03.170406.
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Keywords: Depression, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Prevention, Screening, Social Determinants of Health
Valero-Elizondo J, Hong JC, Spatz ES
Persistent socioeconomic disparities in cardiovascular risk factors and health in the United States: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey 2002-2013.
This study aimed to describe the trends in prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs) among US adults by SES from 2002 to 2013. It found that the proportion of individuals with obesity, diabetes and hypertension increased overall, with low-income groups representing a higher prevalence for each CRF. Of note, physical inactivity had the highest prevalence increase, with the "lowest-income" group observing a relative percent increase of 71.1 percent.
AHRQ-funded; HS023000.
Citation: Valero-Elizondo J, Hong JC, Spatz ES .
Persistent socioeconomic disparities in cardiovascular risk factors and health in the United States: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey 2002-2013.
Atherosclerosis 2018 Feb;269:301-05. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2017.12.014.
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Keywords: Disparities, Cardiovascular Conditions, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Risk, Social Determinants of Health
Abdus S, Selden TM, Keenan P
AHRQ Author: Abdus S, Selden TM, Keenan P
The financial burdens of high-deductible plans.
The increased prevalence of high-deductible health plans raises concerns regarding high financial burdens from health care, particularly for low-income adults.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Abdus S, Selden TM, Keenan P .
The financial burdens of high-deductible plans.
Health Aff 2016 Dec;35(12):2297-301. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2016.0842.
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Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Health Insurance, Healthcare Costs, Social Determinants of Health
Bernard DM, Selden TM
AHRQ Author: Bernard DM, Selden TM
Access to care among nonelderly veterans.
This study compared access to care for nonelderly adult veterans versus comparable non-veterans, overall and within subgroups defined by simulated eligibility for health care from the Veterans Health Administration and by insurance status. Its results showed that uninsured Veterans, the most policy-relevant group, have better access to care than comparable non-veterans.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Bernard DM, Selden TM .
Access to care among nonelderly veterans.
Med Care 2016 Mar;54(3):243-52. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000000508.
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Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Access to Care, Social Determinants of Health, Health Status
Abdus S, Zuvekas SH
AHRQ Author: Abdus S, Zuvekas SH
Racial/ethnic differences in the relationship between obesity and depression treatment.
This study examined the relationship between obesity and the treatment of depression across racial/ethnic subgroups, controlling for depressive symptoms, self-rated mental health, health status, and socioeconomic characteristics. It found that the association between obesity and depression-related medication was significant for white women but not for black or Hispanic women. The results for men were, in general, mixed and inconsistent.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Abdus S, Zuvekas SH .
Racial/ethnic differences in the relationship between obesity and depression treatment.
J Behav Health Serv Res 2015 Oct;42(4):486-503. doi: 10.1007/s11414-014-9391-1..
Keywords: Obesity, Depression, Social Determinants of Health, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)
Abdus S, Selden TM
AHRQ Author: Abdus S, Selden TM
Preventive services for adults: how have differences across subgroups changed over the past decade?
This study uses MEPS data to track changes over time in the distribution of preventive services use across groups defined by poverty status, race/ethnicity, insurance coverage, Census region, and urbanicity. The analysis found that differences across subgroups tended to persist over time, with some of the largest gaps between adults with and without coverage. Regional differences persisted or widened over the study period.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Abdus S, Selden TM .
Preventive services for adults: how have differences across subgroups changed over the past decade?
Med Care 2013 Nov;51(11):999-1007. doi: 10.1097/MLR.0b013e3182a97bc0.
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Keywords: Healthcare Utilization, Health Insurance, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Prevention, Social Determinants of Health
Berdahl TA, Friedman BS, McCormick MC
AHRQ Author: Berdahl TA, Friedman BS
Annual report on health care for children and youth in the United States: trends in racial/ethnic, income, and insurance disparities over time, 2002-2009.
Using MEPS and HCUP data, the authors examined trends in children's health access, utilization, and expenditures over time by race/ethnicity, income, and insurance status/expected payer. They found that disparities by race/ethnicity and income persist in access to and use of care, with Hispanic children experiencing progress in a number of measures, while black children did not.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Berdahl TA, Friedman BS, McCormick MC .
Annual report on health care for children and youth in the United States: trends in racial/ethnic, income, and insurance disparities over time, 2002-2009.
Acad Pediatr 2013 May-Jun;13(3):191-203. doi: 10.1016/j.acap.2013.02.003.
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Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Disparities, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Social Determinants of Health
Pylypchuk Y, Sarpong EM
AHRQ Author: Sarpong EM
Comparison of health care utilization: United States versus Canada.
The purpose of this paper was to compare health care utilization between Canadian and U.S. residents. Findings showed that the poor and less educated were more likely to utilize health care in Canada than in the United States, while health care use for residents with high incomes and higher levels of education were not markedly different between the two countries and often higher for U.S residents. Also, foreign-born residents were more likely to use health care in Canada than in the United States.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Pylypchuk Y, Sarpong EM .
Comparison of health care utilization: United States versus Canada.
Health Serv Res 2013 Apr;48(2 Pt 1):560-81. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-6773.2012.01466.x.
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Keywords: Health Services Research (HSR), Healthcare Utilization, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Social Determinants of Health
Abdus S, Selden TM
AHRQ Author: Abdus S, Selden TM
Adherence with recommended well-child visits has grown, but large gaps persist among various socioeconomic groups.
Using MEPS data, the authors examined trends in well-child visit adherence and whether differences across population subgroups narrowed or widened over time. They found that the ratio of actual to recommended visits rose, with large differences in adherence at the start of the study period across income, race or ethnicity, parent education, region, insurance coverage, and having a usual source of care. None of these differences had narrowed significantly by the end of the study period, and differences widened across parent education, between those with and without insurance coverage, by usual source of care, and between the Northeast and the Midwest and West regions.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Abdus S, Selden TM .
Adherence with recommended well-child visits has grown, but large gaps persist among various socioeconomic groups.
Health Aff 2013 Mar;32(3):508-15. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2012.0691.
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Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Prevention, Social Determinants of Health