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
- Access to Care (2)
- Alcohol Use (1)
- Anxiety (1)
- Behavioral Health (3)
- Cancer (2)
- Cardiovascular Conditions (1)
- Caregiving (1)
- Case Study (1)
- Children/Adolescents (12)
- Chronic Conditions (2)
- Clinician-Patient Communication (2)
- Communication (2)
- Diabetes (1)
- Education: Academic (1)
- Education: Patient and Caregiver (1)
- Electronic Health Records (EHRs) (1)
- Emergency Department (1)
- Evidence-Based Practice (2)
- Falls (1)
- Guidelines (2)
- Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) (2)
- Health Information Technology (HIT) (2)
- Health Insurance (3)
- Health Services Research (HSR) (1)
- Hospital Discharge (1)
- Hospitalization (1)
- Hospital Readmissions (1)
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (2)
- Infectious Diseases (1)
- Injuries and Wounds (1)
- Medicaid (2)
- Medication (4)
- Opioids (1)
- Palliative Care (1)
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (1)
- Patient Adherence/Compliance (1)
- Patient Experience (1)
- Policy (4)
- Practice Patterns (1)
- Pregnancy (1)
- Prevention (4)
- Primary Care (2)
- Racial and Ethnic Minorities (1)
- Risk (6)
- Sexual Health (1)
- Social Stigma (1)
- Substance Abuse (6)
- Tobacco Use (1)
- Tobacco Use: Smoking Cessation (1)
- Transitions of Care (1)
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) (2)
- Uninsured (1)
- Women (2)
- (-) Young Adults (22)
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 22 of 22 Research Studies DisplayedTremblay ES, Ruiz J, Buccigrosso T
Health care transition in youth with type 1 diabetes and an A1C >9%: qualitative analysis of pre-transition perspectives.
The purpose of this training was to explore expectations for transition to adult care and experiences with transition planning among adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes and an A1C >9% at a tertiary care U.S. pediatric center. The investigators concluded that a lack of transition preparation and anxiety about transition and adult care among youth with type 1 diabetes and elevated A1C.
AHRQ-funded; HS000063.
Citation: Tremblay ES, Ruiz J, Buccigrosso T .
Health care transition in youth with type 1 diabetes and an A1C >9%: qualitative analysis of pre-transition perspectives.
Diabetes Spectr 2020 Nov;33(4):331-38. doi: 10.2337/ds20-0011..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Young Adults, Diabetes, Chronic Conditions, Transitions of Care, Patient Experience
Mills J, Wonoprabowo L
AHRQ Author: Mills J
Primary care-based interventions to prevent illicit drug use in children, adolescents, and young adults.
This case study concerns a 14-year-old patient who presents for a well-child visit. The patient eats a healthy diet, is part of a local soccer league, is an overall good student, and just started high school in the fall. The patient denies trying any illicit substances but reports trying to “get high” from cough syrup. Three questions are presented, and answers provided.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Mills J, Wonoprabowo L .
Primary care-based interventions to prevent illicit drug use in children, adolescents, and young adults.
Am Fam Physician 2020 Oct 15;102(8):493-94..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Young Adults, Substance Abuse, Primary Care, Prevention, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Case Study, Guidelines, Evidence-Based Practice
Cha P, Brindis CD
Early Affordable Care Act Medicaid: coverage effects for low- and moderate-income young adults.
This study examined the effects of early Medicaid expansions on low- and moderate-income young adults. They used the American Community Survey 2008-2013 to study three early expansion states: California, Connecticut and Minnesota. Results shows that Medicaid expansion reduced uninsurance in all three states and increased public insurance in California and Minnesota. Young men benefitted more than young women, who historically tend to be uninsured.
AHRQ-funded; HS022241.
Citation: Cha P, Brindis CD .
Early Affordable Care Act Medicaid: coverage effects for low- and moderate-income young adults.
J Adolesc Health 2020 Sep;67(3):425-31. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.05.029..
Keywords: Young Adults, Policy, Medicaid, Uninsured, Access to Care
Jackman KP, Murray S, Hightow-Weidman
Digital technology to address HIV and other sexually transmitted infection disparities: intentions to disclose online personal health records to sex partners among students at a historically Black college.
Among an online survey sample of co-ed students, the authors described latent constructs and other variables associated with perceived behavioral intentions to disclose sexually transmitted infection (STI) test history using patient portals. They found that latent constructs representing communication valuation beliefs and practices were not associated with intentions, while self-reporting prior STI diagnosis was associated with intentions to disclose. They concluded that point-of-care messages focused on improvements to validating test results, communication, and empowerment, may be an effective strategy to support the adoption of patient portals for STI prevention among populations of college-aged Black youth.
AHRQ-funded; HS023057.
Citation: Jackman KP, Murray S, Hightow-Weidman .
Digital technology to address HIV and other sexually transmitted infection disparities: intentions to disclose online personal health records to sex partners among students at a historically Black college.
PLoS One 2020 Aug 21;15(8):e0237648. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237648..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Infectious Diseases, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Young Adults, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Prevention
Greenzang KA, Fasciano KM, Block SD
Early information needs of adolescents and young adults about late effects of cancer treatment.
This study evaluated the importance, quality, and implications of information about late effects in adolescents and young adults (AYA) recently diagnosed with cancer. Surveying AYAs with cancer who were 15 to 29 years old and were treated at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, researchers found that most AYAs with cancer value early information about the risks of late effects and infertility, yet many patients felt that they had not received high-quality information about these topics. They recommended the development of age-appropriate late-effect communication strategies that recognize high AYA distress to address the gap between desired information and perceived information quality.
AHRQ-funded; HS022986.
Citation: Greenzang KA, Fasciano KM, Block SD .
Early information needs of adolescents and young adults about late effects of cancer treatment.
Cancer 2020 Jul 15;126(14):3281-88. doi: 10.1002/cncr.32932..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Young Adults, Cancer, Education: Patient and Caregiver, Clinician-Patient Communication, Communication, Risk
Bushnell GA, Gerhard T, Crystal S
Benzodiazepine treatment and fracture risk in young persons with anxiety disorders.
This study examined whether benzodiazepine treatment increases fall and fracture risk in young persons as it has been shown to do in older adults. They examined whether children (6-17 years) and young adults (18-24) recently diagnosed with anxiety disorder had an increased fracture risk. A cohort of commercially insured children and young adults who had initiated use of benzodiazepine or SSRIs were followed for 3 months, or until fracture, treatment discontinuation or switching or disenrollment occurred. The cohort consisted of 120,715 children and 179,768 young adults. There was an increased fracture rate found in children, but not young adults.
AHRQ-funded; HS026001.
Citation: Bushnell GA, Gerhard T, Crystal S .
Benzodiazepine treatment and fracture risk in young persons with anxiety disorders.
Pediatrics 2020 Jul;146(1):e20193478. doi: 10.1542/peds.2019-3478..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Young Adults, Medication, Falls, Injuries and Wounds, Risk, Anxiety, Behavioral Health
Friedman AS, Xu S
Associations of flavored e-cigarette uptake with subsequent smoking initiation and cessation.
Researchers evaluated whether new uptake of flavored e-cigarettes is more strongly associated with subsequent smoking initiation and cessation than uptake of unflavored e-cigarettes for youths, emerging adults, and prime-age adults. The cohort study conducted secondary data analyses of survey data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study. The researchers found that vaping uptake was positively associated with smoking initiation in youth and in emerging adults, while vaping uptake was associated with cessation in adults. Additionally, vaping nontobacco flavors was no more associated with youth smoking initiation than vaping tobacco-flavors but was associated with increased adult smoking cessation. They recommended more research to establish the relationship between e-cigarette flavors and smoking and to guide related policy.
AHRQ-funded; HS017589.
Citation: Friedman AS, Xu S .
Associations of flavored e-cigarette uptake with subsequent smoking initiation and cessation.
JAMA Netw Open 2020 Jun;3(6):e203826. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.3826..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Young Adults, Tobacco Use: Smoking Cessation, Tobacco Use, Substance Abuse
Hill LM, Maseko B, Chagomerana M
HIV risk, risk perception, and PrEP interest among adolescent girls and young women in Lilongwe, Malawi: operationalizing the PrEP cascade.
The objective of this study was to understand the level of interest in oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) at highest HIV risk and the potential role of perceived risk in motivating PrEP interest. Findings highlighted key relationships between epidemiologic HIV risk, risk perception, and interest in PrEP. The high number of participants with risk scores below the high-risk cutoff who both expressed high perceived risk and interest in PrEP suggested that the demand for PrEP among AGYW may not be well-aligned with epidemiologic risk.
AHRQ-funded; HS000032.
Citation: Hill LM, Maseko B, Chagomerana M .
HIV risk, risk perception, and PrEP interest among adolescent girls and young women in Lilongwe, Malawi: operationalizing the PrEP cascade.
J Int AIDS Soc 2020 Jun;23 Suppl 3:e25502. doi: 10.1002/jia2.25502..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Risk, Prevention, Women, Children/Adolescents, Young Adults
O'Connor E, Thomas R, Senger CA
Interventions to prevent illicit and nonmedical drug use in children, adolescents, and young adults: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
The authors reviewed the benefits and harms of interventions to prevent illicit and nonmedical drug use in children, adolescents, and young adults to inform the US Preventive Services Task Force. They found that the evidence for behavioral counseling interventions to prevent initiation of illicit and nonmedical drug use among adolescents and young adults was inconsistent and imprecise, with some interventions associated with reduction in use and others associated with no benefit or increased use. Health, social, and legal outcomes were sparsely reported, and few showed improvements.
AHRQ-funded; 2902015000017I.
Citation: O'Connor E, Thomas R, Senger CA .
Interventions to prevent illicit and nonmedical drug use in children, adolescents, and young adults: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
JAMA 2020 May 26;323(20):2067-79. doi: 10.1001/jama.2020.1432..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Children/Adolescents, Young Adults, Substance Abuse, Primary Care, Prevention, Guidelines, Evidence-Based Practice
Oates GR, Juarez LD, Hansen B
Social risk factors for medication nonadherence: findings from the CARDIA study.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the combined effect of social risk factors on medication nonadherence. Using data from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study, the results showed that low income and chronic stress are associated with medication nonadherence, and that the odds of nonadherence increase with the accumulation of social risk factors. These findings may assist with developing risk prediction tools to identify individuals who can benefit from adherence-promoting interventions.
AHRQ-funded; HS023009.
Citation: Oates GR, Juarez LD, Hansen B .
Social risk factors for medication nonadherence: findings from the CARDIA study.
Am J Health Behav 2020 Mar 1;44(2):232-43. doi: 10.5993/ajhb.44.2.10..
Keywords: Patient Adherence/Compliance, Medication, Risk, Young Adults, Cardiovascular Conditions, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Rice WS, Turan B, White K
Norms and stigma around unintended pregnancy in Alabama: associations with recent contraceptive use and dual method use among young women.
This study investigated the role of unintended pregnancy norms and stigma in contraceptive use among young women in Alabama. A total of 390 women aged 18-24 were surveyed from November 2014 to October 2015 at university and public health clinics. These women were considered at risk for unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Compared to nonusers, users of contraceptives were more likely to be White, nulliparous, from the university and had higher income. Disapproval of unintended pregnancy by close family and friends was associated with greater contraceptive use.
AHRQ-funded; HS013852.
Citation: Rice WS, Turan B, White K .
Norms and stigma around unintended pregnancy in Alabama: associations with recent contraceptive use and dual method use among young women.
Women Health 2018 Nov-Dec;58(10):1151-66. doi: 10.1080/03630242.2017.1414099.
.
.
Keywords: Sexual Health, Pregnancy, Social Stigma, Women, Young Adults
Marshall BDL, Green TC, Elston B
The effectiveness of internet- and field-based methods to recruit young adults who use prescription opioids nonmedically.
This study researched the effectiveness of field- and Internet-based methods to recruit young adults who are nonmedical prescription opioid (NMPO) users into intervention and treatment. Data was analyzed from the Rhode Island Young Adult Prescription Drug Study (RAPiDS). Internet-based recruitment was more successful (60.1%). Out of 198 eligible participants, median age was 25, and the majority were male, white, and resided in an urban area. Field-based recruited participants were more likely to be homeless, have been incarcerated and engage in daily NMPO use.
AHRQ-funded; HS024021.
Citation: Marshall BDL, Green TC, Elston B .
The effectiveness of internet- and field-based methods to recruit young adults who use prescription opioids nonmedically.
Subst Use Misuse 2018 Aug 24;53(10):1688-99. doi: 10.1080/10826084.2018.1425725.
.
.
Keywords: Health Information Technology (HIT), Medication, Opioids, Substance Abuse, Young Adults
Doupnik SK, Lawlor J, Zima BT
Mental health conditions and unplanned hospital readmissions in children.
Mental health conditions (MHCs) are prevalent among hospitalized children and could influence the success of hospital discharge. The objective of this retrospective cross-sectional study was to assess the relationship between MHCs and 30-day readmissions. The investigators concluded that MHCs were associated with a higher likelihood of hospital readmission in children admitted for medical conditions and procedures. They suggest that understanding the influence of MHCs on readmissions could guide strategic planning to reduce unplanned readmissions for children with co-occurring physical and mental health conditions.
AHRQ-funded; HS023292.
Citation: Doupnik SK, Lawlor J, Zima BT .
Mental health conditions and unplanned hospital readmissions in children.
J Hosp Med 2018 Jul;13(7):445-52. doi: 10.12788/jhm.2910..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Hospital Discharge, Hospital Readmissions, Hospitalization, Risk, Young Adults
Wisk LE, Finkelstein JA, Toomey SL
Impact of an individual mandate and other health reforms on dependent coverage for adolescents and young adults
The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of state-level dependent coverage expansion (DCE), with and without other state health reforms, on exit from dependent coverage for adolescents and young adults (AYA). The study found that an individual mandate and other reforms may enhance the effect of DCE in preventing loss of coverage among AYA.
AHRQ-funded; HS000063; HS025299.
Citation: Wisk LE, Finkelstein JA, Toomey SL .
Impact of an individual mandate and other health reforms on dependent coverage for adolescents and young adults
Health Serv Res 2018 Jun;53(3):1581-99. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.12723..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Health Insurance, Policy, Policy, Young Adults
Ross MM, Arria AM, Brown JP
College students' perceived benefit-to-risk tradeoffs for nonmedical use of prescription stimulants: implications for intervention designs.
This study examined the variation in college students' perceived risks and benefits for nonmedical use of prescription stimulants (NPS). The study findings identified subgroups of college NPS users that could have vastly different trajectories in terms of future drug use and college performance. The authors assert that given this heterogeneity among students regarding perceived risks and benefits of NPS, interventions should be designed to assess motives and provide personalized feedback.
AHRQ-funded; HS022135.
Citation: Ross MM, Arria AM, Brown JP .
College students' perceived benefit-to-risk tradeoffs for nonmedical use of prescription stimulants: implications for intervention designs.
Addict Behav 2018 Apr;79:45-51. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.12.002..
Keywords: Medication, Substance Abuse, Young Adults
Olfson M, Wall M, Wang S
Suicide after deliberate self-harm in adolescents and young adults.
This study’s objective was to identify risk factors for repeated nonfatal self-harm and suicide death among adolescents and young adults, using a national cohort of patients in the Medicaid program who were followed for up to 1 year after initial self-harm. Data on cause of death was obtained from the National Death Index. The results of the study indicated that adolescents and young adults showed a markedly elevated risk of suicide after nonfatal self-harm. The 12-month suicide standardized mortality rate ratio after self-harm was significantly higher for adolescents than young adults. Hazards of suicide after self-harm were also higher for American Indians and Alaskan natives than for non-Hispanic white patients and for those self-harm patients who initially used violent methods, particularly firearms. The authors conclude that these results underscore the importance of follow-up care to help ensure the safety of self-harm patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS021112.
Citation: Olfson M, Wall M, Wang S .
Suicide after deliberate self-harm in adolescents and young adults.
Pediatrics 2018 Apr;141(4). doi: 10.1542/peds.2017-3517..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Medicaid, Behavioral Health, Risk, Young Adults
Wisk LE, Gray SH, Gooding HC
I thought you said this was confidential?-Challenges to protecting privacy for teens and young adults.
In this opinion paper, the authors discuss challenges to protecting privacy for teens and young adults. They specifically examine the implications of the dependent coverage expansion provision of the Affordable Care Act.
AHRQ-funded; HS022986.
Citation: Wisk LE, Gray SH, Gooding HC .
I thought you said this was confidential?-Challenges to protecting privacy for teens and young adults.
JAMA Pediatr 2018 Mar;172(3):209-10. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2017.3927..
Keywords: Caregiving, Children/Adolescents, Clinician-Patient Communication, Communication, Policy, Young Adults
DeCourcey DD, Silverman M, Oladunjoye A
Patterns of care at the end of life for children and young adults with life-threatening complex chronic conditions.
The purpose of this study, which used a cross sectional survey, was to characterize patterns of care at the end of life for children and young adults with life-threatening complex chronic conditions (LT-CCCs) and to compare them by LT-CCC type. The investigators concluded that significant differences in patterns of care at the end of life existed depending on LT-CCC type. They suggest that attention to these patterns is important to ensure equal access to palliative care and targeted improvements in end-of-life care for these populations.
AHRQ-funded; HS022986.
Citation: DeCourcey DD, Silverman M, Oladunjoye A .
Patterns of care at the end of life for children and young adults with life-threatening complex chronic conditions.
J Pediatr 2018 Feb;193:196-203.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2017.09.078..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Chronic Conditions, Palliative Care, Practice Patterns, Young Adults
Kazemi DM, Borsari B, Levine MJ
REMIT: Development of a mHealth theory-based intervention to decrease heavy episodic drinking among college students.
This paper discusses development of a mHealth theory-based intervention to decrease heavy episodic drinking among college students. Informed by current theories of Ecological Momentary Interventions (EMI), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) of Change, investigators developed a self-monitoring app-Reductions through Ecological Momentary/Motivational Intervention/Transtheoretical (REMIT)-with the aim of reducing hazardous drinking among college students. The app was developed using the Integrate, Design, Assess, and Share (IDEAS) framework.
AHRQ-funded; HS023875.
Citation: Kazemi DM, Borsari B, Levine MJ .
REMIT: Development of a mHealth theory-based intervention to decrease heavy episodic drinking among college students.
Addict Res Theory 2018;26(5):377-85. doi: 10.1080/16066359.2017.1420783..
Keywords: Alcohol Use, Young Adults
Hernandez-Boussard T, Burns CS, Wang NE
The Affordable Care Act reduces emergency department use by young adults: evidence from three States.
The authors tested the impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on how young adults used ED services. They found that the largest relative decreases were found in women and blacks. This relative decrease in ED use implies a total reduction of more than 60,000 visits from young adults across three states in 2011.
AHRQ-funded; HS018558.
Citation: Hernandez-Boussard T, Burns CS, Wang NE .
The Affordable Care Act reduces emergency department use by young adults: evidence from three States.
Health Aff 2014 Sep;33(9):1648-54. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2014.0103.
.
.
Keywords: Emergency Department, Health Insurance, Policy, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Young Adults
Saloner B, Le Cook B
An ACA provision increased treatment for young adults with possible mental illnesses relative to comparison group.
The researchers examined the impact of the ACA dependent coverage provision on people ages 18-25 with possible mental health or substance use disorders. They found that after implementation of the ACA provision, among people ages 18-25 with possible mental health disorders, mental health treatment increased by 5.3 percentage points relative to a comparison group of similar people ages 26-35. For those using mental health treatment, uninsured visits declined by 12.4 percentage points, and visits paid by private insurance increased by 12.9 percentage points.
AHRQ-funded; HS021486.
Citation: Saloner B, Le Cook B .
An ACA provision increased treatment for young adults with possible mental illnesses relative to comparison group.
Health Aff 2014 Aug;33(8):1425-34. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2014.0214.
.
.
Keywords: Access to Care, Health Insurance, Behavioral Health, Substance Abuse, Young Adults
Forehand RL, Williamson RS, Russo GS
College health as a partner in the care of pediatric cancer survivors.
The authors reviewed an initiative to educate providers on pediatric cancer survivor care and to establish a cancer survivor registry in a college health center. They concluded that, through education and optimization of health informatics, college health centers can identify and provide survivor care to this medically vulnerable population.
AHRQ-funded; HS021251.
Citation: Forehand RL, Williamson RS, Russo GS .
College health as a partner in the care of pediatric cancer survivors.
J Am Coll Health 2014;62(7):506-10. doi: 10.1080/07448481.2014.917655.
.
.
Keywords: Cancer, Health Services Research (HSR), Young Adults, Education: Academic