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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 12 of 12 Research Studies DisplayedMcGee-Avila JK, Richmond J, Henry KA
Disparities in geospatial patterns of cancer care within urban counties and structural inequities in access to oncology care.
This study examined geospatial patterns of cancer care utilization across diverse populations in New Jersey-a state where most residents live in urban areas. The authors used data from the New Jersey State Cancer Registry. They examined the location of cancer treatment among patients 20-65 years of age diagnosed with breast, colorectal, or invasive cervical cancer and investigated differences in geospatial patterns of care by individual and area-level (e.g., census tract-level) characteristics. They observed significant differences in geospatial patterns of cancer treatment by race/ethnicity, insurance type, and area-level factors. They found that Black patients had a 5.6% higher likelihood of receiving care within their own residential county compared to non-Hispanic White patients. Patients living in census tracts with the highest quintile of social vulnerability were 4.6% more likely to receive treatment within their residential county and were 2.7% less likely to seek out-of-state care.
AHRQ-funded; HS026122.
Citation: McGee-Avila JK, Richmond J, Henry KA .
Disparities in geospatial patterns of cancer care within urban counties and structural inequities in access to oncology care.
Health Serv Res 2023 Aug; 58(Suppl 2):152-64. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.14182..
Keywords: Disparities, Urban Health, Rural/Inner-City Residents, Cancer, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Cancer: Cervical Cancer
McDaniel CE, Leyenaar JK, Bryan MA
Urban-rural disparities in interfacility transfers for children during COVID-19.
This study’s goal was to identify temporal trends and differences in urban and rural pediatric interfacility transfers (IFTs) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors conducted a cross-sectional analysis of IFT among children <18 years from January 2019 to June 2022 using the Pediatric Health Information System. They calculated observed-to-expected (O-E) ratios of pre-pandemic (March 2019-Feb 2020) transfers compared to pandemic year 1 (March 2020-Feb 2021) and year 2 (March 2021-February 2022) using Poisson modeling. The O-E ratio of IFT in year 1 for urban children was 14.0% and 14.8% for rural children compared to pre-pandemic. In year 2, transfers rebounded with IFTs for rural-residing children increasing more than urban-residing children (101.7%) compared to 90.7%. For mental-health indications in year 2, rural transfer ratios were higher than urban, 126% compared to 113.7%.
AHRQ-funded; HS028683.
Citation: McDaniel CE, Leyenaar JK, Bryan MA .
Urban-rural disparities in interfacility transfers for children during COVID-19.
J Rural Health 2023 Jun; 39(3):611-16. doi: 10.1111/jrh.12746..
Keywords: COVID-19, Children/Adolescents, Disparities, Rural Health, Urban Health, Rural/Inner-City Residents
Costello WG, Zhang L, Schnipper J
Post-discharge adverse events among African American and Caucasian patients of an urban community hospital.
This study compared post-discharge adverse events (AEs) among African American and Caucasian patients at an urban community hospital. This prospective cohort study was conducted from December 2011 to October 2012. The cohort included 589 English-speaking patients who were discharged home and could be contacted after discharge for evaluation. Two nurses performed 30-day post-discharge telephone interviews, and two physicians reviewed health records to determine AEs using a previous methodology. African Americans had a slightly higher incidence of post-discharge AEs than Caucasian patients (30.6 vs. 29.9%) but it was not statistically significant.
AHRQ-funded; HS018694.
Citation: Costello WG, Zhang L, Schnipper J .
Post-discharge adverse events among African American and Caucasian patients of an urban community hospital.
J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2021 Apr;8(2):439-47. doi: 10.1007/s40615-020-00800-z..
Keywords: Adverse Events, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Urban Health, Disparities, Hospital Discharge
Lee H, Caldwell JT, Maene C
Racial/ethnic inequities in access to high-quality dialysis treatment in Chicago: does neighborhood racial/ethnic composition matter?
Investigators examined whether neighborhood racial composition contributes to racial/ethnic inequities in access to high-quality dialysis care in Chicago. Data from the United States Renal Data System was merged with the ESRD Quality Incentive Program file and the American Community Survey (2005-2009) for facility and neighborhood characteristics. The investigators concluded that expanding opportunities for Blacks and Hispanics to gain access to racially integrated and minority neighborhoods may help alleviate racial/ethnic inequities in access to quality care among kidney disease patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS00078.
Citation: Lee H, Caldwell JT, Maene C .
Racial/ethnic inequities in access to high-quality dialysis treatment in Chicago: does neighborhood racial/ethnic composition matter?
J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2020 Oct;7(5):854-64. doi: 10.1007/s40615-020-00708-8..
Keywords: Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Access to Care, Urban Health, Dialysis, Disparities, Quality of Care, Kidney Disease and Health
Kang JX, Levanon Seligson A, Dragan KL
Identifying New York City neighborhoods at risk of being overlooked for interventions.
Public health agencies are often faced with difficult decisions about where and how to allocate funding and resources. In this study, the investigators walked readers through a process of identifying needs across different neighborhoods in New York City (NYC) by examining community district-level health outcomes using data from published Community Health Profile reports released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) in 2015.
AHRQ-funded; HS000055.
Citation: Kang JX, Levanon Seligson A, Dragan KL .
Identifying New York City neighborhoods at risk of being overlooked for interventions.
Prev Chronic Dis 2020 Apr 23;17:E32. doi: 10.5888/pcd17.190325..
Keywords: Public Health, Disparities, Urban Health, Vulnerable Populations
Spees LP, Brewster WR, Varia MA
Examining urban and rural differences in how distance to care influences the initiation and completion of treatment among insured cervical cancer patients.
Although rural cancer patients encounter substantial barriers to care, they more often report receiving timely care than urban patients. In this study, the investigators examined whether geographic distance, a contributor to urban-rural health disparities, differentially influenced treatment initiation and completion among insured urban and rural cervical cancer patients. The investigators found that geographic distance differentially influenced the initiation and completion of treatment among urban and rural cervical cancer patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS000032.
Citation: Spees LP, Brewster WR, Varia MA .
Examining urban and rural differences in how distance to care influences the initiation and completion of treatment among insured cervical cancer patients.
Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2019 May;28(5):882-89. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.Epi-18-0945..
Keywords: Rural Health, Urban Health, Disparities, Access to Care, Cancer: Cervical Cancer, Cancer
Sadasivaiah S, Lyles CR, Kyoi S
Disparities in patient-reported interest in web-based patient portals: survey at an urban academic safety-net hospital.
Offering hospitalized patients' enrollment into a health system's patient portal may improve patient experience and engagement throughout the care continuum, especially across care transitions, but this process is less studied than portal engagement in the ambulatory setting. The objective of this study was to evaluate sociodemographic characteristics associated with interest in a health care system's portal among hospitalized patients and reasons for no interest.
AHRQ-funded; HS022408; HS022561; HS023558.
Citation: Sadasivaiah S, Lyles CR, Kyoi S .
Disparities in patient-reported interest in web-based patient portals: survey at an urban academic safety-net hospital.
J Med Internet Res 2019 Mar 26;21(3):e11421. doi: 10.2196/11421..
Keywords: Disparities, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Healthcare Delivery, Hospitals, Patient and Family Engagement, Urban Health
Tung EL, Hampton DA, Kolak M
Race/ethnicity and geographic access to urban trauma care.
The goal of this study was to examine racial/ethnic differences in geographic access to trauma care in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City using census tract data from the 2015 American Community Survey. The role of residential segregation and neighborhood poverty was also considered. Small-area analyses were conducted to assess trauma desert status; ‘trauma desert’ was defined as a travel distance greater than 8 km to the nearest adult level I or level II trauma center. The results for each city’s census tracts and racial/ethnic categories were compared.
AHRQ-funded; HS023007.
Citation: Tung EL, Hampton DA, Kolak M .
Race/ethnicity and geographic access to urban trauma care.
JAMA Netw Open 2019 Mar;2(3):e190138. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.0138..
Keywords: Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Urban Health, Access to Care, Trauma, Disparities
Spees LP, Wheeler SB, Varia M
Evaluating the urban-rural paradox: the complicated relationship between distance and the receipt of guideline-concordant care among cervical cancer patients.
A recent study suggests that the distance to reach care may affect urban and rural cancer patients differentially; the authors of this article examined whether or not this urban-rural paradox exists among cervical cancer patients. Patients diagnosed with cervical cancer from 2004 to 2013 were identified via a statewide cancer registry linked to multi-payer insurance claims. 62% of the cervical cancer patients received guideline-concordant care. The association between distance and receipt of care differed by type of treatment. The authors conclude that there is evidence supporting the urban-rural paradox.
AHRQ-funded; HS000032.
Citation: Spees LP, Wheeler SB, Varia M .
Evaluating the urban-rural paradox: the complicated relationship between distance and the receipt of guideline-concordant care among cervical cancer patients.
Gynecol Oncol 2019 Jan;152(1):112-18. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2018.11.010.
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Keywords: Access to Care, Cancer: Cervical Cancer, Disparities, Evidence-Based Practice, Rural Health, Urban Health
Harris VC, Links AR, Kim JM
Follow-up and time to treatment in an urban cohort of children with sleep-disordered breathing.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate follow-up and timing of sleep-disordered breathing diagnosis and treatment in urban children referred from primary care. Researchers found that half of the children referred for sleep-disordered breathing evaluation are lost to follow-up from primary care. Obstructive sleep apnea severity did not predict follow-up or timeliness of treatment. They conclude that these findings suggest social determinants may pose barriers to care in addition to the clinical burden of sleep-disordered breathing.
AHRQ-funded; HS022932.
Citation: Harris VC, Links AR, Kim JM .
Follow-up and time to treatment in an urban cohort of children with sleep-disordered breathing.
Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2018 Aug;159(2):371-78. doi: 10.1177/0194599818772035..
Keywords: Access to Care, Children/Adolescents, Disparities, Healthcare Delivery, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Quality of Care, Respiratory Conditions, Sleep Problems, Urban Health
Tung EL, Wroblewski KE, Boyd K
Police-recorded crime and disparities in obesity and blood pressure status in Chicago.
The purpose of this study was to examine associations between several types of police-recorded crime (violent, nonviolent, and homicide) and cardiometabolic health (obesity and elevated blood pressure [BP]), and to determine if associations were modified by age and sex. It concluded that in a densely populated, high-poverty region in Chicago, recurrent exposure to high rates of violent crime was consistently associated with obesity and elevated BP, but rare exposure to homicide was not.
AHRQ-funded; HS023007.
Citation: Tung EL, Wroblewski KE, Boyd K .
Police-recorded crime and disparities in obesity and blood pressure status in Chicago.
J Am Heart Assoc 2018 Mar 24;7(7). doi: 10.1161/jaha.117.008030.
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Keywords: Blood Pressure, Disparities, Risk, Social Determinants of Health, Urban Health
Tung EL, Cagney KA, Peek ME
Spatial context and health inequity: reconfiguring race, place, and poverty.
The authors build on the Chicago School of Sociology's contributions in urban research and one of its contemporary elaborations, often described as the "neighborhood effects approach," to propose a three-axis model of health inequity. This model, in alignment with Chicago School theory, postulates a dynamic and adaptive relationship between spatial context and health inequity. Compositional axes of race and poverty form the foundation of the model.
AHRQ-funded; HS023007.
Citation: Tung EL, Cagney KA, Peek ME .
Spatial context and health inequity: reconfiguring race, place, and poverty.
J Urban Health 2017 Dec;94(6):757-63. doi: 10.1007/s11524-017-0210-x.
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Keywords: Disparities, Low-Income, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Social Determinants of Health, Urban Health