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AHRQ Research Studies Date
Topics
- Access to Care (1)
- Asthma (2)
- Behavioral Health (3)
- Cancer (1)
- Cardiovascular Conditions (1)
- Children/Adolescents (3)
- Chronic Conditions (3)
- Depression (1)
- Diabetes (1)
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- (-) Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) (21)
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- Obesity (1)
- Opioids (7)
- Pain (4)
- Patient Adherence/Compliance (1)
- Policy (1)
- Practice Patterns (4)
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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 21 of 21 Research Studies DisplayedParikh MA, Fabiyi C, Mistry KB
AHRQ Author: Fabiyi C, Mistry KB
Factors associated with postprocedure opioid prescribing and persistent opioid use among opioid-naive patients: A nationally representative sample.
This study’s objective was to examine factors associated with postprocedure opioid receipt and persistent opioid use among opioid-naive patients in a nationally representative sample. The authors used panels 18-20 in MEPS between the years 2013 and 2015. They found that younger age, Western location, and a high-school degree were associated with higher odds of postprocedure opioid receipt. Patients who had procedures in an inpatient, outpatient, and dental setting; or musculoskeletal diagnoses and injuries were more likely to have postprocedure opioid receipt. Persistent opioid use was associated with Midwest and Northeast location, musculoskeletal diagnosis, public insurance, and positive depression screening.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Parikh MA, Fabiyi C, Mistry KB .
Factors associated with postprocedure opioid prescribing and persistent opioid use among opioid-naive patients: A nationally representative sample.
Ann Surg 2022 Dec 1;276(6):e706-e13. doi: 10.1097/sla.0000000000004630..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Opioids, Medication, Practice Patterns, Pain
Pritchard KT, Baillargeon J, Lee WC
Trends in the use of opioids vs nonpharmacologic treatments in adults with pain, 2011-2019.
This serial cross-sectional analysis on trends in the use of prescription opioids and nonpharmacologic alternatives in treating pain used MEPS to estimate the use of outpatient services by cancer-free adults with chronic or surgical pain from 2011 to 2019. A total of unweighted 46,420 respondents, 9643 (20.4% weighted) received surgery and 36,777 (79.6% weighted) did not. The prevalence of nonpharmacologic treatments increased in 2019 for both chronic and surgical pain cohorts, especially with exclusive use compared with 2011. Chiropractors and physical therapists were the most common licensed healthcare professionals used among the cohort who used nonpharmacologic treatment.
AHRQ-funded; T32HS026133.
Citation: Pritchard KT, Baillargeon J, Lee WC .
Trends in the use of opioids vs nonpharmacologic treatments in adults with pain, 2011-2019.
JAMA Netw Open 2022 Nov;5(11):e2240612. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.40612..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Opioids, Medication, Pain, Chronic Conditions, Treatments
Encinosa W, Bernard D, Selden TM
AHRQ Author: Encinosa W, Bernard D, Selden TM
Opioid and non-opioid analgesic prescribing before and after the CDC's 2016 opioid guideline.
This study examined opioid and non-opioid prescribing before and after the issuing of CDC’s 2016 opioid guideline. The authors developed a theory of physician prescribing behavior under the CDC’s two-pronged incentive structure. They used MEPS survey data to empirically corroborate the theory that the regulations and guidelines have the intended effects of reducing opioid prescriptions for acute and chronic pain, as well as the predicted unintended effects-income effects cause regulations on acute pain treatment to increase chronic pain opioid prescriptions and the chronic pain treatment guidelines spillover to reduce opioids for acute pain. They also found that the guidelines work as intended in terms of the reduced usage, with chronic pain patients shifting to non-opioids and tapering off opioid doses.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Encinosa W, Bernard D, Selden TM .
Opioid and non-opioid analgesic prescribing before and after the CDC's 2016 opioid guideline.
Int J Health Econ Manag 2022 Mar;22(1):1-52. doi: 10.1007/s10754-021-09307-4..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Opioids, Practice Patterns, Medication, Pain, Chronic Conditions
McClellan C, Moriya A, Simon K
AHRQ Author: McClellan C Moriya A
Users of retail medications for opioid use disorders faced high out-of-pocket prescription spending in 2011-2017.
This paper provides national estimates of financial costs faced by the population receiving retail medications for opioid use disorders (MOUD). Using MEPS data, findings showed that patients with retail MOUD prescriptions spent 3.4 times more out-of-pocket for prescriptions on average than the rest of the U.S. population, with 18.8% of this population paying entirely out-of-pocket for their MOUD prescriptions. Insurance coverage was associated with reduced annual out-of-pocket MOUD expenditures. Future policies that expand insurance and address out-of-pocket spending on MOUD could increase access to medications among individuals with opioid use disorders.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: McClellan C, Moriya A, Simon K .
Users of retail medications for opioid use disorders faced high out-of-pocket prescription spending in 2011-2017.
J Subst Abuse Treat 2022 Jan;132:108645. doi: 10.1016/j.jsat.2021.108645..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Opioids, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Health, Healthcare Costs, Medication
Abdus S
AHRQ Author: Abdus S
Financial burdens of out-of-pocket prescription drug expenditures under high-deductible health plans.
This study examines financial burdens of out-of-pocket prescription drug expenditures across different levels of deductibles, focusing on low-income adults with multiple, prevalent chronic conditions. The results of this study suggest that for low-income adults with multiple chronic conditions who are enrolled in employer-sponsored high-deductible plans, out-of-pocket prescription drug costs may still result in significant financial hardships. The key takeaway point of this paper for general internists is that for patients with chronic conditions, out-of-pocket costs of prescription drugs could be excessively burdensome if they are enrolled in high-deductible plans.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Abdus S .
Financial burdens of out-of-pocket prescription drug expenditures under high-deductible health plans.
J Gen Intern Med 2021 Sep;36(9):2903-05. doi: 10.1007/s11606-020-06226-x..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Health Insurance, Healthcare Costs, Medication
Bernard DM, Encinosa W, Cohen J
AHRQ Author: Bernard DM Encinosa W Cohen J Fang Z
Patient factors that affect opioid use among adults with and without chronic pain.
Investigators sought to determine patient characteristics associated with opioid use among adults with and without chronic pain treatment. Using MEPS data, they found that health-related attitudes affect both adults with and without chronic pain treatment similarly. Adults with self-reliant health attitudes were less likely to start and more likely to discontinue opioid use. Exercise was associated with higher probability of choosing no analgesic treatments over using opioids and also with higher probability of discontinuing opioid use in the year following opioid initiation for those electing to use them.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Bernard DM, Encinosa W, Cohen J .
Patient factors that affect opioid use among adults with and without chronic pain.
Res Social Adm Pharm 2021 Jun;17(6):1059-65. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2020.07.036..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Opioids, Medication, Pain, Chronic Conditions
Moriya AS, Xu L
AHRQ Author: Moriya AS
The complex relationships among race/ethnicity, social determinants, and opioid utilization.
The objective of this study was to examine individual- and community-level factors associated with racial/ethnic differences in individuals' opioid prescription use. The investigators found that the average annual rate of any outpatient opioid prescription use was higher for non-Hispanic whites than for non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics. The smaller difference between non-Hispanic blacks and whites was not explained by the differences in the risk factors, while almost all the difference between Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites could be explained by the differences in the means of the risk factors.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Moriya AS, Xu L .
The complex relationships among race/ethnicity, social determinants, and opioid utilization.
Health Serv Res 2021 Apr;56(2):310-22. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.13619..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Social Determinants of Health, Opioids, Medication, Disparities
Hill SC, Miller GE, Ding Y
AHRQ Author: Hill SC, Miller GE, Ding Y
Net spending on retail specialty drugs grew rapidly, especially for private insurance and Medicare Part D.
This study examined net spending trends on retail specialty drugs from 2010 to 2017. Spending has been difficult to measure due to proprietary rebate payments by manufacturers by insurers, pharmacy benefit managers and state Medicaid agencies. The authors incorporated those rebates into their research. They found that specialty drugs accounted for 37.7% of retail and mail-order prescription spending net of rebates in 2016-17. The spending net of rebates tripled for Medicare Part D beneficiaries and more than doubled for people with private insurance from 2010 to 2017. Medicaid net spending of rebates had a slower increase.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Hill SC, Miller GE, Ding Y .
Net spending on retail specialty drugs grew rapidly, especially for private insurance and Medicare Part D.
Health Aff 2020 Nov;39(11):1970-76. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2019.01830..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Healthcare Costs, Medication, Medicare, Health Insurance
Hu T, Decker SL, Chou SY
AHRQ Author: Decker SL
The impact of health insurance expansion on physician treatment choice: Medicare Part D and physician prescribing.
Researchers tested the effect of the introduction of Medicare Part D on physician prescribing behavior using data on physician visits from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS). Subjects were patients aged 60-69. The researchers found a 32% increase in the number of prescription drugs prescribed or continued per visit and a 46% increase in the number of generic drugs prescribed or continued for the elderly after the introduction of Medicare Part D.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Hu T, Decker SL, Chou SY .
The impact of health insurance expansion on physician treatment choice: Medicare Part D and physician prescribing.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28168448.
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Health Insurance, Medicare, Medication, Practice Patterns, Elderly
Ngo-Metzger Q, Zuvekas S, Shafer P
AHRQ Author: Ngo-Metzger Q, Zuvekas S, Shafer P, Tracer H, Borsky AE, Bierman AS
Ngo-Metzger Q, Zuvekas S, Shafer P, Tracer H, Borsky AE, Bierman AS. Statin use in the U.S. for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease remains suboptimal.
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) remains the leading cause of mortality in the United States. The purpose of this study was to examine the rates of statin use for secondary prevention of ASCVD events in the United States over the last decade and determine whether disparities in the treatment of ASCVD still persist among women and racial/ethnic minorities.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Ngo-Metzger Q, Zuvekas S, Shafer P .
Ngo-Metzger Q, Zuvekas S, Shafer P, Tracer H, Borsky AE, Bierman AS. Statin use in the U.S. for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease remains suboptimal.
J Am Board Fam Med 2019 Nov-Dec;32(6):807-17. doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2019.06.180313..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Cardiovascular Conditions, Medication, Healthcare Utilization, Prevention, Heart Disease and Health, Disparities
Selden TM, Abdus S, Miller GE
AHRQ Author: Selden TM, Abdus S, Miller GE
Decomposing changes in the growth of U.S. prescription drug use and expenditures, 1999-2016.
Data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) was examined to analyze factors associated with changes in prescription drug use and expenditures in the US from 1999 to 2016. There were large increases in prescription drug use during that period, with per capita utilization increasing by nearly half and per capita expenditures more than doubled. Treatment of long-term conditions was a large driver in the increases in medication use.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Selden TM, Abdus S, Miller GE .
Decomposing changes in the growth of U.S. prescription drug use and expenditures, 1999-2016.
Health Serv Res 2019 Aug;54(4):752-63. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.13164..
Keywords: Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Utilization, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Medication
Murphy CC, Fullington HM, Alvarez CA
Polypharmacy and patterns of prescription medication use among cancer survivors.
The population of cancer survivors is rapidly growing in the United States. Long-term and late effects of cancer, combined with the ongoing management of other chronic conditions, make survivors particularly vulnerable to polypharmacy and its adverse effects. In the current study, the authors examined patterns of prescription medication use and polypharmacy in a population-based sample of cancer survivors.
AHRQ-funded; HS022418.
Citation: Murphy CC, Fullington HM, Alvarez CA .
Polypharmacy and patterns of prescription medication use among cancer survivors.
Cancer 2018 Jul 1;124(13):2850-57. doi: 10.1002/cncr.31389..
Keywords: Cancer, Healthcare Costs, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Medication
Axeen S, Seabury SA, Menchine M
Emergency department contribution to the prescription opioid epidemic.
The investigators used MEPS data to characterize the relative contribution of emergency departments (EDs) to national opioid prescribing, to estimate trends in opioid prescribing by site of care, and to examine whether higher-risk opioid users receive a disproportionate quantity of their opioids from ED settings. During the study period, they found that the relative contribution of EDs to the prescription opioid problem was modest and declining. They therefore recommended that further efforts to reduce the quantity of opioids prescribed focus on office-based settings.
AHRQ-funded; HS024251.
Citation: Axeen S, Seabury SA, Menchine M .
Emergency department contribution to the prescription opioid epidemic.
Ann Emerg Med 2018 Jun;71(6):659-67.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2017.12.007..
Keywords: Behavioral Health, Emergency Department, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Medication, Opioids, Practice Patterns, Substance Abuse
Kafali N, Progovac A, Hou SS
Long-run trends in antidepressant use among youths after the FDA black box warning.
This study analyzed long-run trends in antidepressant use among children before and after the black box warning for those with and without severe psychological impairment. It concluded that in the long run (2008-2011), however, there was no statistically significant difference. This return to the rates before the black box warning raises concern that the impact of the warning may have dissipated over time.
AHRQ-funded; HS021486.
Citation: Kafali N, Progovac A, Hou SS .
Long-run trends in antidepressant use among youths after the FDA black box warning.
Psychiatr Serv 2018 Apr;69(4):389-95. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.201700089.
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Keywords: Medication, Children/Adolescents, Healthcare Utilization, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Policy
Yabroff KR, Kirby J, Zodet M
AHRQ Author: Kirby J, Zodet M
Association of insurance gains and losses with access to prescription drugs.
The researchers used longitudinal data to assess the effects of insurance gains and losses on prescription drug access. Their findings that unmet need for prescription drugs declined among initially uninsured adults who gained coverage and doubled among initially insured adults who lost coverage provide longitudinal evidence that having and maintaining health insurance is a key protection against unmet need for prescription drugs in a nationally representative sample.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Yabroff KR, Kirby J, Zodet M .
Association of insurance gains and losses with access to prescription drugs.
JAMA Intern Med 2017 Oct;177(10):1531-32. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2017.4011.
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Keywords: Access to Care, Health Insurance, Medication, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Uninsured
Cook BL, Carson NJ, Kafali EN
Examining psychotropic medication use among youth in the U.S. by race/ethnicity and psychological impairment.
This study examined racial/ethnic differences in the prescription of psychotropic medications among youth with and without psychological impairment. Compared to Black and Latino youth with psychological impairment, White youth were more likely to be prescribed psychotropic medications when impaired. Among youth never having psychological impairment, White youth were also more likely to be prescribed medications compared to their racial/ethnic minority counterparts.
AHRQ-funded; HS021486.
Citation: Cook BL, Carson NJ, Kafali EN .
Examining psychotropic medication use among youth in the U.S. by race/ethnicity and psychological impairment.
Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2017 Mar - Apr;45:32-39. doi: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2016.12.004.
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Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Medication, Behavioral Health, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Olfson M, Blanco C, Marcus SC
Treatment of adult depression in the United States.
The researchers characterized the treatment of adult depression in the United States. They concluded that most US adults who screen positive for depression did not receive treatment for depression, whereas most who were treated did not screen positive. In light of these findings, it is important to strengthen efforts to align depression care with each patient's clinical needs.
AHRQ-funded; HS02112.
Citation: Olfson M, Blanco C, Marcus SC .
Treatment of adult depression in the United States.
JAMA Intern Med 2016 Oct;176(10):1482-91. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2016.5057.
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Keywords: Medication, Depression, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)
Miller GE, Sarpong EM, Hill SC
AHRQ Author: Miller GE, Sarpong EM, Hill SC
Does increased adherence to medications change health care financial burdens for adults with diabetes?
The aim of the present study was to investigate increased out-of-pocket drug costs and financial burdens of achieving adherence to oral antidiabetic medications and medications for prevalent comorbidities. The researchers found that the mean simulated additional out-of-pocket drug costs of achieving adherence were $310 for uninsured adults treated for diabetes. These additional drug costs would increase the percentage of uninsured adults with financial burden.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Miller GE, Sarpong EM, Hill SC .
Does increased adherence to medications change health care financial burdens for adults with diabetes?
J Diabetes 2015 Nov;7(6):872-80. doi: 10.1111/1753-0407.12292..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Healthcare Costs, Diabetes, Patient Adherence/Compliance, Medication
Davidoff AJ, Miller GE, Sarpong EM
AHRQ Author: Miller GE, Sarpong EM
Prevalence of potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults using the 2012 Beers criteria.
The purpose of this study was to use the most recently available population-based data to estimate potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) prevalence under the 2012 update of the Beers list of PIMs and to provide a benchmark from which to measure future changes. It found that despite the overall high use of PIMs, there has been a decline observed in recent years.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Davidoff AJ, Miller GE, Sarpong EM .
Prevalence of potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults using the 2012 Beers criteria.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2015 Mar;63(3):486-500. doi: 10.1111/jgs.13320..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Medication, Elderly
Sarpong EM
AHRQ Author: Sarpong EM
The impact of obesity on medication use and expenditures among nonelderly adults with asthma.
The author examined the impact of obesity on medication use and expenditures among nonelderly adults with asthma using the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. He found that obese classes II/III individuals were more likely to have current asthma, seek treatment for asthma, use more medications, and have higher medication and health care expenditures compared with normal weight individuals. His results suggested that reduction in body weight may help reduce health resource use and expenditures for nonelderly adults with asthma.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Sarpong EM .
The impact of obesity on medication use and expenditures among nonelderly adults with asthma.
J Health Care Poor Underserved 2014 Aug;25(3):1245-61. doi: 10.1353/hpu.2014.0142.
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Keywords: Asthma, Healthcare Costs, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Medication, Obesity
Sarpong EM, Miller GE
AHRQ Author: Sarpong EM, Miller GE
Racial and ethnic differences in childhood asthma treatment in the United States.
The authors examined racial-ethnic differences in asthma controller medication use among insured U.S. children. They found that non-Hispanic black and Hispanic children were less likely to use controllers than non-Hispanic white children. They concluded that the large observed differences in controller use highlight the continuing challenges of ensuring that all U.S. children have access to quality asthma care.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Sarpong EM, Miller GE .
Racial and ethnic differences in childhood asthma treatment in the United States.
Health Serv Res 2013 Dec;48(6 Pt 1):2014-36. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.12077.
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Keywords: Asthma, Children/Adolescents, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Medication, Racial and Ethnic Minorities