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 (3)
- Arthritis (1)
- Asthma (2)
- Cancer: Colorectal Cancer (1)
- Caregiving (1)
- Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) (1)
- Children/Adolescents (7)
- Chronic Conditions (3)
- Community-Based Practice (1)
- Comparative Effectiveness (1)
- Disabilities (2)
- Disparities (1)
- Education (1)
- Elderly (1)
- Evidence-Based Practice (1)
- Family Health and History (1)
- Healthcare Costs (8)
- Healthcare Utilization (3)
- Health Information Technology (HIT) (1)
- Health Insurance (8)
- Health Literacy (1)
- Health Promotion (1)
- Health Status (1)
- Heart Disease and Health (1)
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (1)
- Lifestyle Changes (1)
- (-) Low-Income (32)
- Maternal Care (1)
- Medicaid (5)
- Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) (4)
- Medicare (4)
- Medication (1)
- Mortality (1)
- Neurological Disorders (1)
- Nutrition (4)
- Obesity (2)
- Obesity: Weight Management (1)
- Orthopedics (1)
- Osteoporosis (1)
- Outcomes (2)
- Patient-Centered Healthcare (1)
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (2)
- Payment (1)
- Policy (2)
- Primary Care (4)
- Provider Performance (1)
- Quality of Care (1)
- Racial and Ethnic Minorities (5)
- Risk (2)
- Rural/Inner-City Residents (1)
- Rural Health (1)
- Screening (2)
- Social Determinants of Health (7)
- Uninsured (5)
- Urban Health (3)
- Vulnerable Populations (7)
- Women (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 25 of 32 Research Studies DisplayedAbdus S, Keenan PS
AHRQ Author: Abdus S, Keenan PS
Financial burden of employer-sponsored high-deductible health plans for low-income adults with chronic health conditions.
In this research letter, the authors used 2011-2015 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component data on adults 19 to 64 years of age enrolled in employer-sponsored insurance plans throughout the year to examine the burden of high deductible health plans on low income adults with chronic health conditions.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Abdus S, Keenan PS .
Financial burden of employer-sponsored high-deductible health plans for low-income adults with chronic health conditions.
JAMA Intern Med 2018 Dec;178(12):1706-08. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.4706..
Keywords: Chronic Conditions, Healthcare Costs, Health Insurance, Low-Income, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)
Zuckerman KE, Chavez AE, Regalado Murillo C
Disparities in familiarity with developmental disabilities among low-income parents.
Parent knowledge about developmental disabilities (DDs) may facilitate access to DD care; however, parents may vary in their knowledge and familiarity with common DDs. The objective of this study was to assess racial/ethnic and language differences in low-income families' familiarity, knowledge, and personal experience with DDs. The investigators concluded that low-income Latino-LEP and other race parents have less familiarity or personal experience with DDs and are less aware of early signs of DDs compared to low-income white parents.
AHRQ-funded; HS000063.
Citation: Zuckerman KE, Chavez AE, Regalado Murillo C .
Disparities in familiarity with developmental disabilities among low-income parents.
Acad Pediatr 2018 Nov - Dec;18(8):944-51. doi: 10.1016/j.acap.2018.06.011..
Keywords: Disabilities, Children/Adolescents, Caregiving, Health Literacy, Low-Income, Vulnerable Populations, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Wolf ER, Hochheimer CJ, Sabo RT
Gaps in well-child care attendance among primary care clinics serving low-income families.
This retrospective cohort study of children 0 to 6 years old between 2011 and 2016 within 2 health networks spanning 20 states, sought to determine which specific well-child visits (WCVs) are most frequently missed and whether age-specific patterns of attendance differ by race or insurance type. The investigators found that the 15- and 18-month WCVs as well as the 4-year WCV are the least frequently attended WCVs.
AHRQ-funded; HS024270.
Citation: Wolf ER, Hochheimer CJ, Sabo RT .
Gaps in well-child care attendance among primary care clinics serving low-income families.
Pediatrics 2018 Nov;142(5). doi: 10.1542/peds.2017-4019..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Low-Income, Children/Adolescents, Primary Care
Bradley CJ, Neumark D, Walker LS
The effect of primary care visits on other health care utilization: a randomized controlled trial of cash incentives offered to low income, uninsured adults in Virginia.
Investigators recruited low-income uninsured adults in Virginia to determine whether cash incentives would encourage primary care provider (PCP) visits as opposed to going to the hospital emergency room. This randomized, controlled trial determined that PCP visits did increase but no reductions in overall costs occurred there was an offset from increased outpatient utilization.
AHRQ-funded; HS022534.
Citation: Bradley CJ, Neumark D, Walker LS .
The effect of primary care visits on other health care utilization: a randomized controlled trial of cash incentives offered to low income, uninsured adults in Virginia.
J Health Econ 2018 Nov;62:121-33. doi: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2018.07.006..
Keywords: Healthcare Utilization, Health Insurance, Low-Income, Primary Care, Uninsured, Vulnerable Populations
Keenan PS, Jacobs PD, Miller GE
AHRQ Author: Kennan PS, Jacobs PD, Miller GE
Despite coverage gains, one-third of people in small-firm low-income families were uninsured in 2014-15.
Using data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, the investigators examined health insurance coverage for workers at small firms and the self-employed and found that the overall uninsurance rate for these workers and their families declined by 5 percentage points over the past decade, but one-third of those with lower incomes remained uninsured in 2014-15.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Keenan PS, Jacobs PD, Miller GE .
Despite coverage gains, one-third of people in small-firm low-income families were uninsured in 2014-15.
Health Aff 2018 Oct;37(10):1673-77. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2018.0479..
Keywords: Health Insurance, Low-Income, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Uninsured
Schnall R, Cho H, Mangone A
Mobile health technology for improving symptom management in low income persons living with HIV.
This study aimed to examine the impact of an mHealth application (app), comprised of evidence-based self-care strategies, on the symptom experience of persons living with HIV (PLWH). In this 12-week trial, an mHealth app, mobile Video Information Provider (mVIP), was associated with improved symptom burden and increased medication adherence in PLWH.
AHRQ-funded; HS023963.
Citation: Schnall R, Cho H, Mangone A .
Mobile health technology for improving symptom management in low income persons living with HIV.
AIDS Behav 2018 Oct;22(10):3373-83. doi: 10.1007/s10461-017-2014-0..
Keywords: Chronic Conditions, Health Information Technology (HIT), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Low-Income, Vulnerable Populations
Sen AP, Chen LM, Wong Samson L
Performance in the Medicare Shared Savings Program by accountable care organizations disproportionately serving dual and disabled populations.
The purpose of this study was to examine performance by accountable care organizations (ACOs) in the top quintile of their proportion of beneficiaries who were dually enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid (high-dual), and the top quintile of disabled beneficiaries (high-disabled). Measures used were quality scores, savings per beneficiary, whether or not the ACO shared savings and the amount of shared savings. The researchers found that high-dual and high-disabled ACOs had similar or higher spending than other ACOs at baseline, but achieved greater savings and were equally or more likely to earn shared savings; alternative payment models can have positive financial outcomes for providers serving vulnerable populations.
AHRQ-funded; HS024698.
Citation: Sen AP, Chen LM, Wong Samson L .
Performance in the Medicare Shared Savings Program by accountable care organizations disproportionately serving dual and disabled populations.
Med Care 2018 Sep;56(9):805-11. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000000968..
Keywords: Disabilities, Medicare, Healthcare Costs, Provider Performance, Payment, Low-Income, Vulnerable Populations
Wong MS, Roberts ET, Arnold CM
HUD housing assistance and levels of physical activity among low-income adults.
The objective of this study was to assess whether participation in HUD housing assistance programs was associated with increased physical activity among low-income adults. The investigators found that receiving HUD housing assistance was associated with being physically active among nonsenior low-income adults.
AHRQ-funded; HS000029.
Citation: Wong MS, Roberts ET, Arnold CM .
HUD housing assistance and levels of physical activity among low-income adults.
Prev Chronic Dis 2018 Jul 19;15:E94. doi: 10.5888/pcd15.170517..
Keywords: Lifestyle Changes, Low-Income, Vulnerable Populations
Gorski Findling MT, Wolfson JA, Rimm EB
Differences in the neighborhood retail food environment and obesity among US children and adolescents by SNAP participation.
The authors sought to understand the association between children's neighborhood food access and overweight/obesity in a national sample of US households, and whether this association differs by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation or household purchases. Using data from the National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey, 2012-2013, they found that the odds of childhood overweight/obesity were higher with greater access to combination grocery/other stores overall and for children in SNAP. Eligible non-SNAP children had higher odds of overweight/obesity with greater access to convenience stores. The average child lived in a household with 6.3% of total spending at food outlets on sugary beverages. They concluded that greater neighborhood access to combination grocery/other stores is associated with higher obesity prevalence for children overall and those in SNAP.
AHRQ-funded; HS000055.
Citation: Gorski Findling MT, Wolfson JA, Rimm EB .
Differences in the neighborhood retail food environment and obesity among US children and adolescents by SNAP participation.
Obesity 2018 Jun;26(6):1063-71. doi: 10.1002/oby.22184.
.
.
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Low-Income, Nutrition, Obesity, Social Determinants of Health
Goodman SM, Mandi LA, Mehta B
Does education level mitigate the effect of poverty on total knee arthroplasty outcomes?
The authors assessed the interaction between education and poverty on 2-year Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain and function. They found that having no college was associated with worse pain and function at baseline and 2 years and that living in a poor neighborhood was associated with worse 2-year pain and function. There was a strong interaction between individual education and community poverty with WOMAC scores at 2 years. Patients without college living in poor communities had pain scores that were ~10 points worse than those with some college; in wealthy communities, college was associated with a 1-point difference in pain. Function was similar. The authors recommended further study on how education protects those in impoverished communities.
AHRQ-funded; HS016075.
Citation: Goodman SM, Mandi LA, Mehta B .
Does education level mitigate the effect of poverty on total knee arthroplasty outcomes?
Arthritis Care Res 2018 Jun;70(6):884-91. doi: 10.1002/acr.23442..
Keywords: Arthritis, Education, Low-Income, Orthopedics, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Social Determinants of Health
Cheng TL, Mistry KB, Wang G
AHRQ Author: Mistry KB
Folate nutrition status in mothers of the Boston birth cohort, sample of a US urban low-income population.
Researchers examined maternal folic acid supplementation and plasma folate concentrations in the Boston Birth Cohort, a predominantly urban, low-income, minority population. Their findings indicated that fewer than 5 percent of mothers in the Boston Birth Cohort started folic acid supplements before pregnancy, and approximately one third of mothers had either too low or too high plasma folate levels.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Cheng TL, Mistry KB, Wang G .
Folate nutrition status in mothers of the Boston birth cohort, sample of a US urban low-income population.
Am J Public Health 2018 Jun;108(6):799-807. doi: 10.2105/ajph.2018.304355.
.
.
Keywords: Nutrition, Maternal Care, Low-Income, Urban Health, Rural/Inner-City Residents
Fiechtner L, Perkins M, Biggs V
Rationale and design of the Clinic and Community Approaches to Healthy Weight Randomized Trial.
Recent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of family-centered, pediatric weight management programs in reducing childhood obesity. Yet, programs to optimize the care of low-income children with obesity are needed. The investigators sought to examine the comparative effectiveness of two, potentially scalable pediatric weight management programs delivered to low-income children in a clinical or community setting.
AHRQ-funded; HS024332; HS022986.
Citation: Fiechtner L, Perkins M, Biggs V .
Rationale and design of the Clinic and Community Approaches to Healthy Weight Randomized Trial.
Contemp Clin Trials 2018 Apr;67:16-22. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2018.01.002..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Obesity: Weight Management, Obesity, Low-Income, Vulnerable Populations, Nutrition, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Family Health and History, Evidence-Based Practice, Comparative Effectiveness
Han B, Cohen DA, Derose KP
Violent crime and park use in low-income urban neighborhoods.
This study aimed to assess the association between crime rates and use of local parks in low-income urban neighborhoods. The study concluded that gun-related violent crimes have relatively long-term negative associations with population health by reducing utilization of outdoor park space.
AHRQ-funded; HS000046.
Citation: Han B, Cohen DA, Derose KP .
Violent crime and park use in low-income urban neighborhoods.
Am J Prev Med 2018 Mar;54(3):352-58. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2017.10.025..
Keywords: Low-Income, Urban Health
Cardet JC, Louisias M, King TS
Income is an independent risk factor for worse asthma outcomes.
The authors investigated whether low income, low education, and high perceived stress were independent risk factors for treatment failure and asthma exacerbations in the context of a randomized controlled trial. They found that participants with lower income were more likely to experience adverse asthma outcomes independent of education, perceived stress, race, and medication adherence.
AHRQ-funded; HS022986.
Citation: Cardet JC, Louisias M, King TS .
Income is an independent risk factor for worse asthma outcomes.
J Allergy Clin Immunol 2018 Feb;141(2):754-60.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2017.04.036..
Keywords: Asthma, Chronic Conditions, Low-Income, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Risk, Social Determinants of Health
Davis MM, Freeman M, Shannon J
A systematic review of clinic and community intervention to increase fecal testing for colorectal cancer in rural and low-income populations in the United States - how, what and when?
Researchers conducted this systematic review to determine how implementation strategies and contextual factors influenced the uptake of interventions to increase fecal testing for colorectal cancer in rural and low-income populations. They found that provision of kits through the mail, use of pre-addressed stamped envelopes, client reminders and in-clinic distribution appeared most frequently in the highly effective/effective clinic-based study arms. Few studies described contextual factors or implementation strategies.
AHRQ-funded; HS022981.
Citation: Davis MM, Freeman M, Shannon J .
A systematic review of clinic and community intervention to increase fecal testing for colorectal cancer in rural and low-income populations in the United States - how, what and when?
BMC Cancer 2018 Jan 6;18(1):40. doi: 10.1186/s12885-017-3813-4.
.
.
Keywords: Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Health Promotion, Low-Income, Rural Health, Screening
Akwo EA, Kabagambe EK, Harrell FE, Jr.
Neighborhood deprivation predicts heart failure risk in a low-income population of blacks and whites in the southeastern United States.
The researchers investigated whether neighborhood deprivation predicts risk of incident heart failure (HF) beyond individual socioeconomic status in a low-income population. They concluded that, in a low-income population from the Southern Community Cohort Study, scant neighborhood resources compounded the risk of HF above and beyond individual socioeconomic status and traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
AHRQ-funded; HS022990.
Citation: Akwo EA, Kabagambe EK, Harrell FE, Jr. .
Neighborhood deprivation predicts heart failure risk in a low-income population of blacks and whites in the southeastern United States.
Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2018 Jan;11(1):e004052. doi: 10.1161/circoutcomes.117.004052.
.
.
Keywords: Heart Disease and Health, Low-Income, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Risk, Social Determinants of Health
Angier H, Gregg J, Gold R
Understanding how low-income families prioritize elements of health care access for their children via the optimal care model.
The researchers explored low-income parents’ perspectives on accessing health care. Interviews with 29 Oregon parents revealed that affordability and limited availability were seen as barriers to care; while a continuous relationship with a health care provider helped them overcome these barriers. Parents also described the difficult decisions they made between affordability and acceptability in order to get the best care they could for their children.
AHRQ-funded; HS018569.
Citation: Angier H, Gregg J, Gold R .
Understanding how low-income families prioritize elements of health care access for their children via the optimal care model.
BMC Health Serv Res 2014 Nov 19;14:585. doi: 10.1186/s12913-014-0585-2..
Keywords: Access to Care, Children/Adolescents, Low-Income, Social Determinants of Health, Healthcare Costs
Fiscella K, Geiger HJ
Caring for the poor in the 21st century: enabling community health centers for a new era.
This article discusses various challenges facing community health centers (CHCs) in the 21st century. These include: potential erosion of the Medicaid prospective payment system, the failure of many States to expand Medicaid, the growth of accountable care organizations, the growth of high deductible health insurance for the privately insured, and increased competition for primary care clinicians.
AHRQ-funded; HS022440
Citation: Fiscella K, Geiger HJ .
Caring for the poor in the 21st century: enabling community health centers for a new era.
J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2014 Nov;25(4):2044-52. doi: 10.1353/hpu.2014.0182..
Keywords: Low-Income, Primary Care, Medicaid, Health Insurance
Lyles CR, Schafer AL, Seligman HK
Income, food insecurity, and osteoporosis among older adults in the 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
The researchers investigated osteoporosis and low socioeconomic status (SES). They concluded that income and food insecurity may have significant implications not just for immediate nutritional outcomes, but also for conditions such as osteoporosis that develop over the lifespan.
AHRQ-funded; HS022408.
Citation: Lyles CR, Schafer AL, Seligman HK .
Income, food insecurity, and osteoporosis among older adults in the 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
J Health Care Poor Underserved 2014 Nov;25(4):1530-41. doi: 10.1353/hpu.2014.0174.
.
.
Keywords: Elderly, Nutrition, Osteoporosis, Social Determinants of Health, Low-Income
Epstein AM, Sommers BD, Kuznetsov Y
Low-income residents in three states view Medicaid as equal to or better than private coverage, support expansion.
The authors explored what low-income Americans think about Medicaid. They found that nearly 80 percent of their telephone survey sample favored Medicaid expansion, and approximately two-thirds of uninsured respondents said that they planned to apply for either Medicaid or subsidized private coverage in 2014. Most viewed having Medicaid as better than being uninsured and at least as good as private insurance in overall quality and affordability.
AHRQ-funded; HS021291.
Citation: Epstein AM, Sommers BD, Kuznetsov Y .
Low-income residents in three states view Medicaid as equal to or better than private coverage, support expansion.
Health Aff 2014 Nov;33(11):2041-7. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2014.0747.
.
.
Keywords: Health Insurance, Policy, Low-Income, Medicaid, Uninsured
Kaiboriboon K, Schiltz NK, Bakaki PM
Premature mortality in poor health and low income adults with epilepsy.
This research study’s objective was to examine mortality and causes of death in socioeconomically disadvantaged persons with epilepsy in the United States. While death from epilepsy-related causes was about 10%, comorbidities like cardiovascular disease, cancer, and unintentional injuries caused 18.4% of deaths. Socioeconomically deprived and Medicaid-insured patients died 17 years prematurely.
Epilepsia. 2014 Nov;55(11):1781-8. doi: 10.1111/epi.12789.
Citation: Kaiboriboon K, Schiltz NK, Bakaki PM .
Premature mortality in poor health and low income adults with epilepsy.
.
Keywords: Low-Income, Mortality, Neurological Disorders, Social Determinants of Health
Gupta S, Brenner AT, Ratanawongsa N
Patient trust in physician influences colorectal cancer screening in low-income patients.
The study objective was to characterize the relationship between patient trust and colorectal cancer (CRC) screening behavior among racially and ethnically diverse, low-income patients who had all received a physician recommendation for screening. After controlling for traditional factors, trust in the primary care provider remained the only significant driver of CRC screening completion.
AHRQ-funded; HS013853; HS000032; HS022561
Citation: Gupta S, Brenner AT, Ratanawongsa N .
Patient trust in physician influences colorectal cancer screening in low-income patients.
Am J Prev Med. 2014 Oct;47(4):417-23. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2014.04.020..
Keywords: Screening, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Low-Income, Primary Care
Sharma R, Lebrun-Harris LA, Ngo-Metzger Q
AHRQ Author: Ngo-Metzger Q
Costs and clinical quality among Medicare beneficiaries: associations with health center penetration of low-income residents.
The authors determined the association between access to primary care by the underserved and Medicare spending and clinical quality across hospital referral regions (HRRs). They found that, compared with elderly fee-for-service beneficiaries residing in areas with low-penetration of health center patients among low-income residents, those residing in high-penetration areas may accrue Medicare cost savings.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Sharma R, Lebrun-Harris LA, Ngo-Metzger Q .
Costs and clinical quality among Medicare beneficiaries: associations with health center penetration of low-income residents.
Medicare Medicaid Res Rev 2014 Sep 8;4(3). doi: 10.5600/mmrr.004.03.a05.
.
.
Keywords: Access to Care, Community-Based Practice, Quality of Care, Low-Income, Medicare
Abdus S, Hudson J, Hill SC
AHRQ Author: Abdus S, Hudson J, Hill SC, Selden TM
Children's health insurance program premiums adversely affect enrollment, especially among lower-income children.
Using MEPS data, the authors showed that the relationship between premiums and coverage varies considerably by income level and by parental access to employer-sponsored insurance. They found that the increase in uninsurance is largest among children whose parents lack offers of employer coverage.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Abdus S, Hudson J, Hill SC .
Children's health insurance program premiums adversely affect enrollment, especially among lower-income children.
Health Aff 2014 Aug;33(8):1353-60. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2014.0182.
.
.
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Healthcare Costs, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Low-Income
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.
.
.
Keywords: Healthcare Utilization, Vulnerable Populations, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Women, Low-Income, Urban Health