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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
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1 to 17 of 17 Research Studies DisplayedWaehrer G, Deb P, 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
Highfield L, Rajan SS, Valerio MA
A non-randomized controlled stepped wedge trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a multi-level mammography intervention in improving appointment adherence in underserved women.
This study evaluated a theoretically based, systematically designed implementation strategy to support adoption and implementation of a patient navigation-based intervention, called Peace of Mind Program (PMP), aimed at improving breast cancer screening among underserved women.. Any potential confounding or bias will be controlled in the analysis. Outcomes such as appointment adherence, patient referral to diagnostics, time to diagnostic referral, patient referral to treatment, time to treatment referral, and budget impact of the intervention will be assessed.
AHRQ-funded; HS023255.
Citation: Highfield L, Rajan SS, Valerio MA .
A non-randomized controlled stepped wedge trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a multi-level mammography intervention in improving appointment adherence in underserved women.
Implement Sci 2015 Oct 14;10:143. doi: 10.1186/s13012-015-0334-x.
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Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Screening, Patient Adherence/Compliance, Women, Vulnerable Populations, Prevention, Imaging
Whittle HJ, Palar K, Hufstedler LL
Food insecurity, chronic illness, and gentrification in the San Francisco Bay Area: an example of structural violence in United States public policy.
This study sought to explore the experiences and structural determinants of food insecurity among a group of low-income PLHIV in the San Francisco Bay Area. It found that the lived experience of food insecurity among participants included periods of insufficient quantity of food and resultant hunger, as well as long-term struggles with quality of food that led to concerns about the poor health effects of a cheap diet.
AHRQ-funded; HS000046.
Citation: Whittle HJ, Palar K, Hufstedler LL .
Food insecurity, chronic illness, and gentrification in the San Francisco Bay Area: an example of structural violence in United States public policy.
Soc Sci Med 2015 Oct;143:154-61. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2015.08.027..
Keywords: Chronic Conditions, Policy, Social Determinants of Health, Nutrition, Vulnerable Populations
Higashi RT, Craddock Lee SJ, Leonard T
Multiple comorbidities and interest in research participation among clients of a nonprofit food distribution site.
The researchers sought to better understand the health needs of a nonclinical population to inform future research and interventions. Their analysis of focus group findings led them to conclude that Crossroads Community Services clients represent a high-need, under-reached population willing to engage in health-related research that affords them opportunity to connect with peers in group settings and obtain information to improve management of daily life challenges.
AHRQ-funded; HS022418.
Citation: Higashi RT, Craddock Lee SJ, Leonard T .
Multiple comorbidities and interest in research participation among clients of a nonprofit food distribution site.
Clin Transl Sci 2015 Oct;8(5):584-90. doi: 10.1111/cts.12325.
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Keywords: Nutrition, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Disparities, Low-Income, Vulnerable Populations
Goodman MS, Griffey RT, Carpenter CR
Do subjective measures improve the ability to identify limited health literacy in a clinical setting?
The researchers assessed whether the addition of Single-Item Literacy Screener (SILS) items or the Brief Health Literacy Screen (BHLS) to patient demographics readily available in ambulatory clinical settings reaching underserved patients improves the ability to identify limited health literacy. Their findings suggest that the BHLS and SILS items improve the ability to identify patients with limited health literacy compared with demographic predictors alone.
AHRQ-funded; HS020309.
Citation: Goodman MS, Griffey RT, Carpenter CR .
Do subjective measures improve the ability to identify limited health literacy in a clinical setting?
J Am Board Fam Med 2015 Sep-Oct;28(5):584-94. doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2015.05.150037..
Keywords: Health Literacy, Vulnerable Populations
Fischer MA, Allen-Coleman C, Farrell SF
Stakeholder assessment of comparative effectiveness research needs for Medicaid populations.
Because children, pregnant women and people with mental illness have generally been underrepresented in research discussions, comparative effectiveness rsearch (CER) questions for these groups may be understudied. To address this problem, AHRQ commissioned a team to work with Medicaid Medical Directors and other stakeholders to identify relevant CER questions. Through an iterative process of topic identification and refinement, they developed relevant, feasible and actionable questions based on issues affecting Medicaid programs nationwide.
AHRQ-funded; 290200500161.
Citation: Fischer MA, Allen-Coleman C, Farrell SF .
Stakeholder assessment of comparative effectiveness research needs for Medicaid populations.
J Comp Eff Res 2015 Sep;4(5):465-71. doi: 10.2217/cer.15.26.
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Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Medicaid, Research Methodologies, Decision Making, Vulnerable Populations
Sofolahan-Oladeinde Y, Mullins CD, Baquet CR
Using community-based participatory research in patient-centered outcomes research to address health disparities in under-represented communities.
The authors proposed ways by which patient-centered outcomes research can effectively use community-based participatory research principles to engage patients in general, and specifically patients from underserved communities, in the hope that this will help to reduce and eventually eliminate health disparities.
AHRQ-funded; HS022135.
Citation: Sofolahan-Oladeinde Y, Mullins CD, Baquet CR .
Using community-based participatory research in patient-centered outcomes research to address health disparities in under-represented communities.
J Comp Eff Res 2015 Sep;4(5):515-23. doi: 10.2217/cer.15.31.
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Keywords: Access to Care, Disparities, Evidence-Based Practice, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Vulnerable Populations
Palar K, Kushel M, Frongillo EA
Food insecurity is longitudinally associated with depressive symptoms among homeless and marginally-housed individuals living with HIV.
The researchers assessed the longitudinal association of food insecurity with symptoms of depression using validated measures among participants living with HIV from the Research on Access to Care in the Homeless cohort in San Francisco. They found that over half of participants (55.0 percent) were food insecure and 35.8 percent had symptoms of depression.
AHRQ-funded; HS00046.
Citation: Palar K, Kushel M, Frongillo EA .
Food insecurity is longitudinally associated with depressive symptoms among homeless and marginally-housed individuals living with HIV.
AIDS Behav 2015 Aug;19(8):1527-34. doi: 10.1007/s10461-014-0922-9..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Depression, Vulnerable Populations
Albright K, Krantz MJ, Backlund JP
Health promotion text messaging preferences and acceptability among the medically underserved.
Preimplementation focus groups with participants informed the development of text messages that were used in a 6-week pilot program. Postimplementation focus groups and interviews then evaluated the pilot program. The results of the pilot study indicates support among participants for health promotion text messaging embedded into an existing community-based cardiovascular disease risk reduction program.
AHRQ-funded; HS021138.
Citation: Albright K, Krantz MJ, Backlund JP .
Health promotion text messaging preferences and acceptability among the medically underserved.
Health Promot Pract 2015 Jul;16(4):523-32. doi: 10.1177/1524839914566850..
Keywords: Community-Based Practice, Health Promotion, Prevention, Cardiovascular Conditions, Vulnerable Populations
Geissler KH, Holmes GM
Emergency department use in the US-Mexico border region and violence in Mexico: is there a relationship?
This study assessed the association between homicide rates in northern Mexico and potentially avoidable use of emergency departments (ED) in the US-Mexico border region. It concluded that a substantial majority of ED encounters in the US-Mexico border region were potentially avoidable. However, there was not a strong relationship between homicide rates in northern Mexico and the distribution of ED discharges in Arizona and California.
AHRQ-funded; HS021074.
Citation: Geissler KH, Holmes GM .
Emergency department use in the US-Mexico border region and violence in Mexico: is there a relationship?
J Rural Health 2015 Summer;31(3):316-25. doi: 10.1111/jrh.12109.
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Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Healthcare Utilization, Access to Care, Vulnerable Populations
Wen KY, Miller SM, Roussi P
A content analysis of self-reported barriers and facilitators to preventing postpartum smoking relapse among a sample of current and former smokers in an underserved population.
The researchers conducted in-person interviews to characterize the barriers and facilitators that prevent postpartum relapse and maintain smoking abstinence among a socioeconomically underserved population. They found that participants reported four main strategies that helped them to successfully cope with postpartum cravings and relapses, including being informed of smoking risks, maintaining goal-oriented thoughts, focusing on their concerns about the baby's health, and receiving positive social support from families and friends.
AHRQ-funded; HS019001.
Citation: Wen KY, Miller SM, Roussi P .
A content analysis of self-reported barriers and facilitators to preventing postpartum smoking relapse among a sample of current and former smokers in an underserved population.
Health Educ Res 2015 Feb;30(1):140-51. doi: 10.1093/her/cyu048.
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Keywords: Education: Patient and Caregiver, Healthcare Delivery, Prevention, Tobacco Use, Vulnerable Populations
Henwood BF, Katz ML, Gilmer TP
Aging in place within permanent supportive housing.
This study examined whether and how permanent supportive housing (PSH) programs are able to support aging in place among tenants with serious mental illness. It found that PSH is an effective way to end homelessness, yet little is known about how programs can support housing stability among aging populations.
AHRQ-funded; HS019986.
Citation: Henwood BF, Katz ML, Gilmer TP .
Aging in place within permanent supportive housing.
Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2015 Jan;30(1):80-7. doi: 10.1002/gps.4120..
Keywords: Elderly, Behavioral Health, Community-Based Practice, Vulnerable Populations
Gilmer TP, Stefancic A, Katz ML
Fidelity to the housing first model and effectiveness of permanent supported housing programs in California.
This paper examined the relationship between fidelity to the Housing First model and residential outcomes among clients of full service partnerships (FSPs) in California. They concluded that programs with greater fidelity to the Housing First model enrolled clients with longer histories of homelessness and placed most of them in apartments.
AHRQ-funded; HS019986.
Citation: Gilmer TP, Stefancic A, Katz ML .
Fidelity to the housing first model and effectiveness of permanent supported housing programs in California.
Psychiatr Serv 2014 Nov;65(11):1311-7. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.201300447.
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Keywords: Vulnerable Populations
Vanderwerker L, Akincigil A, Olfson M
Foster care, externalizing disorders, and antipsychotic use among Medicaid-enrolled youths.
The researchers investigated the extent to which clinical diagnoses of externalizing disorders explain higher rates of antipsychotic use by foster care youths. They found that foster care youths had higher rates of externalizing disorders than the comparison group and greater antipsychotic use. Foster care remained a significant predictor of antipsychotic use after control for demographic and diagnostic covariates.
AHRQ-funded; HS017918; HS019937; HS021112.
Citation: Vanderwerker L, Akincigil A, Olfson M .
Foster care, externalizing disorders, and antipsychotic use among Medicaid-enrolled youths.
Psychiatr Serv 2014 Oct;65(10):1281-4. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.201300455.
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Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Medication, Medicaid, Vulnerable Populations, Behavioral Health
Lebrun-Harris LA, Tomoyasu N, Ngo-Metzger Q
Substance use, risk of dependence, counseling and treatment among adult health center patients.
The authors examined the prevalence of substance use and risk of dependence among health center patients, and identified factors associated with desire for counseling/treatment and discussions about substance use with a clinician. They found that 84% of patients who desired substance use counseling or treatment reported receiving it, and those patients most likely to desire substance use counseling or treatment were male, unmarried, insured, current smokers, and indicated mental health problems.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Lebrun-Harris LA, Tomoyasu N, Ngo-Metzger Q .
Substance use, risk of dependence, counseling and treatment among adult health center patients.
J Health Care Poor Underserved 2014 Aug;25(3):1217-30. doi: 10.1353/hpu.2014.0130.
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Keywords: Behavioral Health, Community-Based Practice, Substance Abuse, Vulnerable Populations
Allgood KL, Rauscher GH, Whitman S
Validating self-reported mammography use in vulnerable communities: findings and recommendations.
The researchers examined the potential extent of overreporting of mammography use in low-income African-American and Latina women, and whether self-report inaccuracies might bias estimated associations between patient characteristics and mammography use. They found that although 73% of women self-reported a mammogram in the last 2 years, only 44% of self-reports were documented. Overreporting of mammography use was observed for all ethnic groups studied.
AHRQ-funded; HS018366.
Citation: Allgood KL, Rauscher GH, Whitman S .
Validating self-reported mammography use in vulnerable communities: findings and recommendations.
Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2014 Aug;23(8):1649-58. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-13-1253.
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Keywords: Healthcare Utilization, Vulnerable Populations, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Women, Low-Income, Urban Health
Moy E, Freeman W
Federal investments to eliminate racial/ethnic health-care disparities.
The authors presented a model that describes the relationships among social disadvantage, health-care disparities, and health disparities. They proposed that increasing the diversity of the public health and health-care workforces is an efficient strategy for reducing disparities because it impacts both access to care and patient-provider communication.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Moy E, Freeman W .
Federal investments to eliminate racial/ethnic health-care disparities.
Public Health Rep 2014 Jan-Feb;129 Suppl 2:62-70. doi: 10.1177/00333549141291s212.
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Keywords: Access to Care, Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Social Determinants of Health, Vulnerable Populations
