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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 8 of 8 Research Studies DisplayedCunningham-Erves J, Campbell L, Barlow C
Reducing HPV associated cancers and disparities: engaging African American men to develop a culturally-appropriate program that addresses their needs.
Reducing HPV associated cancers and disparities: engaging African American men to develop a culturally-appropriate program that addresses their needs.
Am J Health Educ 2021;52(4):194-206. doi: 10.1080/19325037.2021.1930614.
This paper discusses the results of the Healthy Men, Healthy Communities program that aims to improve preventive behaviors among African American men to reduce HPV-related cancer disparities. An educational intervention was developed using cultural-targeting strategies such as linguistics, peripherals, evidence, socio-culture, and constituent-involving. Research team members were recruited from community-based (CBO) leaders. Three focus groups, 30 surveys, and a community review and program evaluation with African American men were conducted. The five focus group themes were: 1) The Known and Unknown of Cancer, HPV, and the vaccine; (2) Personal experiences with cancer were commonplace; (3) Barriers to Engaging HPV Cancer Preventive Behaviors; (4) Multi-Modal Strategies are needed to improve preventive behaviors; and (5) Actual versus Preferred Sources of Information. Survey data showed men desired information on penile (52%) and oral cancer (48%). A speaker summit on various topics was the preferred education format (96%). A post-summit evaluation indicated most males intended to get screened (73%), eat healthier (77%), and exercise more (65%). After these interventions the HPV vaccine was administered to about 40% of the men, and their children and grandchildren.
Am J Health Educ 2021;52(4):194-206. doi: 10.1080/19325037.2021.1930614.
This paper discusses the results of the Healthy Men, Healthy Communities program that aims to improve preventive behaviors among African American men to reduce HPV-related cancer disparities. An educational intervention was developed using cultural-targeting strategies such as linguistics, peripherals, evidence, socio-culture, and constituent-involving. Research team members were recruited from community-based (CBO) leaders. Three focus groups, 30 surveys, and a community review and program evaluation with African American men were conducted. The five focus group themes were: 1) The Known and Unknown of Cancer, HPV, and the vaccine; (2) Personal experiences with cancer were commonplace; (3) Barriers to Engaging HPV Cancer Preventive Behaviors; (4) Multi-Modal Strategies are needed to improve preventive behaviors; and (5) Actual versus Preferred Sources of Information. Survey data showed men desired information on penile (52%) and oral cancer (48%). A speaker summit on various topics was the preferred education format (96%). A post-summit evaluation indicated most males intended to get screened (73%), eat healthier (77%), and exercise more (65%). After these interventions the HPV vaccine was administered to about 40% of the men, and their children and grandchildren.
AHRQ-funded; HS022990.
Citation: Cunningham-Erves J, Campbell L, Barlow C .
Reducing HPV associated cancers and disparities: engaging African American men to develop a culturally-appropriate program that addresses their needs.
Am J Health Educ 2021;52(4):194-206. doi: 10.1080/19325037.2021.1930614..
Keywords: Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases, Cancer, Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Men's Health, Prevention, Health Promotion, Education: Patient and Caregiver
Danan ER, White KM, Wilt TJ
Reactions to recommendations and evidence about prostate cancer screening among White and Black male veterans.
This study looked at differences in attitudes about recommendations and evidence on prostate cancer screening among White and Black male veterans. The authors provided a draft educational pamphlet about the benefits and harms of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) screening to 44 men, ages 55-81 at a midwestern VA medical center in 2013 and 2015. The groups were divided into four White and two Black focus groups. Three universal themes were low baseline familiarity with prostate cancer, surprise and resistance to the guidelines not to test routinely, and negative emotions in response to ambiguity. Discussions in the White groups highlighted the potential benefits of screening, minimized the harms, and emphasized personal choice in screening decisions. Discussions in Black groups devoted almost no time to benefits, considered harms significant, and emphasized personal and collective responsibility for cancer prevention through diet, exercise, and alternative medicine. Discussion in Black groups also emphasized the history of racism and discrimination in healthcare and medical research.
AHRQ-funded; HS026379.
Citation: Danan ER, White KM, Wilt TJ .
Reactions to recommendations and evidence about prostate cancer screening among White and Black male veterans.
Am J Mens Health 2021 May-Jun;15(3):15579883211022110. doi: 10.1177/15579883211022110..
Keywords: Cancer: Prostate Cancer, Cancer, Screening, Prevention, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Evidence-Based Practice, Health Promotion, Education: Patient and Caregiver
Aguilera A, Figueroa CA, Hernandez-Ramos R
mHealth app using machine learning to increase physical activity in diabetes and depression: clinical trial protocol for the DIAMANTE study.
In this randomized controlled trial, the researchers’ goal is to examine the effect of a text-messaging smartphone application to encourage physical activity in low-income ethnic minority patients with comorbid diabetes and depression. They will compare passively collected daily step counts, self-reported PHQ-8 and most recent hemoglobin A1c from medical records at baseline and at intervention completion at 6-month follow-up. They plan to submit manuscripts describing their user-designed methods and testing of the adaptive learning algorithm and will submit the results of the trial for publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at scientific meetings.
AHRQ-funded; HS025429.
Citation: Aguilera A, Figueroa CA, Hernandez-Ramos R .
mHealth app using machine learning to increase physical activity in diabetes and depression: clinical trial protocol for the DIAMANTE study.
BMJ Open 2020 Aug 20;10(8):e034723. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034723..
Keywords: Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Diabetes, Chronic Conditions, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Low-Income, Health Promotion
Payán DD, Maggard-Gibbons M, Flórez KR
Taking Care of Yourself and Your Risk for Breast Cancer (CUIDARSE): a randomized controlled trial of a health communication intervention for Latinas.
Latinas in the United States are more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer (BC) compared to non-Latinas. Literacy-appropriate and culturally sensitive cancer communication interventions can help address existing racial/ethnic BC disparities. In this study, the investigators formatively developed a new BC prevention brochure for Spanish-speaking Latinas (≥35 years) and conducted a randomized controlled trial of a health communication intervention for Latinas.
AHRQ-funded; HS019264.
Citation: Payán DD, Maggard-Gibbons M, Flórez KR .
Taking Care of Yourself and Your Risk for Breast Cancer (CUIDARSE): a randomized controlled trial of a health communication intervention for Latinas.
Health Educ Behav 2020 Aug;47(4):569-80. doi: 10.1177/1090198120920529..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Health Literacy, Education: Patient and Caregiver, Cultural Competence, Health Promotion, Communication, Women, Community-Based Practice
Whitley MD, Payán DD, Flórez KR
Feasibility and acceptability of a mobile messaging program within a church-based healthy living intervention for African Americans and Latinos.
Church-based programs can act on multiple levels to improve dietary and physical activity behaviors among African Americans and Latinos. However, the effectiveness of these interventions may be limited due to challenges in reaching all congregants or influencing behavior outside of the church setting. This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of a mobile messaging program within a church-based healthy living intervention for African Americans and Latinos.
AHRQ-funded; HS000046.
Citation: Whitley MD, Payán DD, Flórez KR .
Feasibility and acceptability of a mobile messaging program within a church-based healthy living intervention for African Americans and Latinos.
Health Informatics J 2020 Jun;26(2):880-96. doi: 10.1177/1460458219853408..
Keywords: Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Community-Based Practice, Health Information Technology (HIT), Health Promotion
Flórez KR, Payán DD, Palar K
Church-based interventions to address obesity among African Americans and Latinos in the United States: a systematic review.
This systematic literature review examined the impact of multilevel church-based interventions to address racial/ethnic disparities in obesity in the US. The review identified 43 relevant articles using systematic review methods developed by the CDC’s Task Force on Community Preventive Services. Although 81% of the studies reported significant results, effective size was reported or could only be calculated in 56% of the cases. A lack of diversity among the samples was also found with few studies involving Latinos, men, young adults, or children. Few interventions were actually multilevel in nature or incorporated strategies at the church or community. Greater diversity is needed in future church-based interventions.
AHRQ-funded; HS000046.
Citation: Flórez KR, Payán DD, Palar K .
Church-based interventions to address obesity among African Americans and Latinos in the United States: a systematic review.
Nutr Rev 2020 Apr;78(4):304-22. doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nuz046..
Keywords: Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Obesity, Obesity: Weight Management, Disparities, Health Promotion, Prevention
Eapen ZJ, Liang L, Shubrook JH
Current quality of cardiovascular prevention for Million Hearts: an analysis of 147,038 outpatients from The Guideline Advantage.
This study examined adherence to clinical quality measures focusing on antiplatelet drugs for ischemic vascular disease, blood pressure control for hypertension, cholesterol control for diabetes, and tobacco use screening among 145,038 patients from 25 U.S. practices. It found that black and people of color races were associated with a lower likelihood of blood pressure and cholesterol control.
AHRQ-funded; HS021092
Citation: Eapen ZJ, Liang L, Shubrook JH .
Current quality of cardiovascular prevention for Million Hearts: an analysis of 147,038 outpatients from The Guideline Advantage.
Am Heart J. 2014 Sep;168(3):398-404. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2014.06.007..
Keywords: Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Promotion, Heart Disease and Health, Quality Improvement, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Burke JF, Vijan S, Chekan LA
Targeting high-risk employees may reduce cardiovascular racial disparities.
A possible remedy for health disparities is for employers to promote cardiovascular health among minority employees. However, this study finds that there was no significant per person differential attributable to racial disparities for heart attack and stroke. A primary implication is that targeting cardiovascular disease strategies for African Americans is unlikely to be cost saving for employers.
AHRQ-funded; HS017690
Citation: Burke JF, Vijan S, Chekan LA .
Targeting high-risk employees may reduce cardiovascular racial disparities.
Am J Manag Care. 2014 Sep;20(9):725-33..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Disparities, Healthcare Costs, Health Promotion, Health Status, Racial and Ethnic Minorities