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 (61)
- Adverse Drug Events (ADE) (2)
- Adverse Events (8)
- Alcohol Use (4)
- Ambulatory Care and Surgery (5)
- Antibiotics (3)
- Antimicrobial Stewardship (2)
- Anxiety (3)
- Arthritis (8)
- Asthma (8)
- Autism (2)
- Back Health and Pain (2)
- Behavioral Health (56)
- Blood Pressure (17)
- Blood Thinners (2)
- Brain Injury (3)
- Breast Feeding (6)
- Cancer (57)
- Cancer: Breast Cancer (28)
- Cancer: Cervical Cancer (1)
- Cancer: Colorectal Cancer (9)
- Cancer: Lung Cancer (8)
- Cancer: Ovarian Cancer (1)
- Cancer: Prostate Cancer (8)
- Cardiovascular Conditions (41)
- Care Coordination (3)
- Caregiving (14)
- Care Management (5)
- Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) (2)
- Children/Adolescents (78)
- Chronic Conditions (40)
- Clinical Decision Support (CDS) (2)
- Clinician-Patient Communication (23)
- Colonoscopy (1)
- Communication (19)
- Community-Acquired Infections (1)
- Community-Based Practice (20)
- Community Partnerships (1)
- Comparative Effectiveness (10)
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine (3)
- Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) (8)
- COVID-19 (27)
- Critical Care (5)
- Cultural Competence (35)
- Data (10)
- Decision Making (26)
- Dementia (8)
- Dental and Oral Health (4)
- Depression (28)
- Diabetes (50)
- Diagnostic Safety and Quality (15)
- Dialysis (2)
- Digestive Disease and Health (8)
- Disabilities (4)
- Disparities (267)
- Domestic Violence (4)
- Ear Infections (2)
- Education: Academic (2)
- Education: Continuing Medical Education (2)
- Education: Curriculum (5)
- Education: Patient and Caregiver (32)
- Elderly (62)
- Electronic Health Records (EHRs) (18)
- Emergency Department (12)
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS) (4)
- Evidence-Based Practice (14)
- Eye Disease and Health (2)
- Family Health and History (8)
- Genetics (8)
- Guidelines (3)
- Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) (3)
- Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) (29)
- Healthcare Costs (13)
- Healthcare Delivery (19)
- Healthcare Utilization (20)
- Health Information Technology (HIT) (38)
- Health Insurance (26)
- Health Literacy (16)
- Health Promotion (14)
- Health Services Research (HSR) (13)
- Health Status (23)
- Health Systems (2)
- Heart Disease and Health (22)
- Hepatitis (1)
- Home Healthcare (8)
- Hospital Discharge (7)
- Hospitalization (31)
- Hospital Readmissions (12)
- Hospitals (12)
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (39)
- Imaging (7)
- Implementation (5)
- Infectious Diseases (5)
- Injuries and Wounds (6)
- Inpatient Care (2)
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU) (3)
- Kidney Disease and Health (20)
- Labor and Delivery (5)
- Lifestyle Changes (22)
- Long-Term Care (13)
- Low-Income (43)
- Maternal Care (18)
- Medicaid (23)
- Medical Devices (2)
- Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) (22)
- Medicare (29)
- Medication (48)
- Medication: Safety (3)
- Men's Health (10)
- Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (1)
- Mortality (35)
- Neurological Disorders (6)
- Newborns/Infants (11)
- Nursing Homes (13)
- Nutrition (7)
- Obesity (33)
- Obesity: Weight Management (12)
- Opioids (10)
- Orthopedics (3)
- Osteoporosis (3)
- Outcomes (35)
- Pain (9)
- Palliative Care (11)
- Patient-Centered Healthcare (17)
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (34)
- Patient Adherence/Compliance (24)
- Patient and Family Engagement (5)
- Patient Experience (24)
- Patient Safety (7)
- Patient Self-Management (7)
- Payment (2)
- Policy (18)
- Practice Patterns (8)
- Pregnancy (27)
- Pressure Ulcers (1)
- Prevention (43)
- Primary Care (21)
- Primary Care: Models of Care (4)
- Provider (2)
- Provider: Health Personnel (2)
- Provider: Pharmacist (2)
- Provider: Physician (5)
- Provider Performance (2)
- Public Health (5)
- Public Reporting (1)
- Quality Improvement (11)
- Quality Indicators (QIs) (6)
- Quality Measures (4)
- Quality of Care (29)
- Quality of Life (9)
- (-) Racial and Ethnic Minorities (749)
- Registries (6)
- Rehabilitation (1)
- Research Methodologies (7)
- Respiratory Conditions (8)
- Risk (44)
- Rural/Inner-City Residents (2)
- Rural Health (9)
- Screening (35)
- Sepsis (3)
- Sex Factors (20)
- Sexual Health (10)
- Skin Conditions (5)
- Sleep Problems (7)
- Social Determinants of Health (87)
- Social Stigma (10)
- Stress (9)
- Stroke (21)
- Substance Abuse (15)
- Surgery (36)
- Teams (1)
- Telehealth (11)
- Tobacco Use (6)
- Tobacco Use: Smoking Cessation (2)
- Training (2)
- Transitions of Care (3)
- Transplantation (14)
- Trauma (5)
- Treatments (6)
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) (2)
- Uninsured (7)
- Urban Health (26)
- Vaccination (8)
- Vulnerable Populations (29)
- Web-Based (7)
- Women (64)
- Workforce (5)
- Young Adults (9)
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
176 to 200 of 749 Research Studies DisplayedPollack LM, Lowder JL, Keller M
Racial/ethnic differences in the risk of surgical complications and posthysterectomy hospitalization among women undergoing hysterectomy for benign conditions.
The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to evaluate whether 30- and 90-day surgical complication and postoperative hospitalization rates after hysterectomy for benign conditions differed by race/ethnicity and whether the differences remained after controlling for patient, hospital, and surgical characteristics. The investigators concluded that Black and Asian/Pacific Islander women had higher risk of some 30- and 90-day surgical complications after hysterectomy than white women. Black and Hispanic women had higher risk of posthysterectomy hospitalization.
AHRQ-funded; HS019455.
Citation: Pollack LM, Lowder JL, Keller M .
Racial/ethnic differences in the risk of surgical complications and posthysterectomy hospitalization among women undergoing hysterectomy for benign conditions.
J Minim Invasive Gynecol 2021 May;28(5):1022-32.e12. doi: 10.1016/j.jmig.2020.12.032..
Keywords: Surgery, Risk, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Adverse Events, Hospitalization, Women
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
Javalkar K, Robson VK, Gaffney L
Socioeconomic and racial and/or ethnic disparities in multisystem inflammatory syndrome.
Researchers characterized the socioeconomic and racial and/or ethnic disparities impacting the diagnosis and outcomes of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). They found that lower socioeconomic status or higher social vulnerability index, Hispanic ethnicity, and Black race independently increased risk for MIS-C. They recommended additional studies to target interventions to improve health equity for children.
AHRQ-funded; HS000063.
Citation: Javalkar K, Robson VK, Gaffney L .
Socioeconomic and racial and/or ethnic disparities in multisystem inflammatory syndrome.
Pediatrics 2021 May;147(5). doi: 10.1542/peds.2020-039933..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Social Determinants of Health, Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Risk
Alcántara C, Giorgio Cosenzo L, McCullough E
Cultural adaptations of psychological interventions for prevalent sleep disorders and sleep disturbances: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials in the United States.
This systematic review examined behavioral randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on prevalent sleep-wake disorders and sleep disturbances to determine if these studies targeted underserved populations or addressed contextual and cultural factors. The authors examined sociodemographic characteristics of behavioral RCTs that targeted underserved adults, identified types of cultural adaptations (surface-level or deep-level), and described intervention effectiveness on primary sleep outcomes. Overall out of 56 studies, 6.97% targeted underserved groups (veterans, women, racial/ethnic minorities, low socioeconomic status, disability status); and 64.9% made surface-level or deep-level cultural adaptations. Most cultural adaptions were made to behavioral therapies, and cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I). Surface-level cultural adaptions made were mostly to the delivery modality and setting. Deep-level cultural adaptations to the content and core intervention components were the most typical. Intervention effectiveness varied by type of adapted intervention and the participant population. RCTs including adapted CBT-I interventions among participants showed consistent significant reductions in adverse sleep outcomes versus control.
AHRQ-funded; HS024274.
Citation: Alcántara C, Giorgio Cosenzo L, McCullough E .
Cultural adaptations of psychological interventions for prevalent sleep disorders and sleep disturbances: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials in the United States.
Sleep Med Rev 2021 Apr;56:101455. doi: 10.1016/j.smrv.2021.101455..
Keywords: Sleep Problems, Cultural Competence, Behavioral Health, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Vulnerable Populations
Kirby JB, Berdahl TA, Stone RA
AHRQ Author: Kirby JB, Berdahl TA
Perceptions of patient-provider communication across the six largest Asian subgroups in the USA.
Investigators sought to estimate racial/ethnic differences in perceptions of provider communication among the six largest Asian subgroups. Using MEPS data, they found that negative views of provider communication are not pervasive among all Asians but, rather, primarily reflect the perceptions of Chinese and, possibly, Vietnamese patients. They recommended that researchers, policymakers, health plan executives, and others who produce or use data on patients' experiences with health care avoid categorizing all Asians into a single group.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Kirby JB, Berdahl TA, Stone RA .
Perceptions of patient-provider communication across the six largest Asian subgroups in the USA.
J Gen Intern Med 2021 Apr;36(4):888-93. doi: 10.1007/s11606-020-06391-z..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS), Clinician-Patient Communication, Communication, Patient Experience, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Cultural Competence
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
Peltz A, Kan K, Garg A
Racial and ethnic differences in managed care enrollment among US children.
The authors used national survey data to compare rates of HMO enrollment, by race and ethnicity, for children with commercial and public coverage. They found that, when adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, Hispanic children with public coverage, non-Hispanic Black children with commercial coverage, and Hispanic children with commercial coverage were more likely to be enrolled in HMOs than non-Hispanic White children. They recommended future study to examine the degree to which the observed national imbalance in HMO enrollment results from state-specific policies, family preferences, or coverage affordability.
AHRQ-funded; HS026385.
Citation: Peltz A, Kan K, Garg A .
Racial and ethnic differences in managed care enrollment among US children.
JAMA Netw Open 2021 Apr;4(4):e214162. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.4162..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Children/Adolescents, Health Insurance, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Fraiman YS, Litt JS, Davis JM
Racial and ethnic disparities in adult COVID-19 and the future impact on child health.
This article discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children who are racial and ethnic minorities and the disproportionate harm to them. The authors urge that COVID-19-focused research consider racial and ethnic disparity. The paper discusses the lasting and intergenerational impact of COVID-19 on communities of color, especially children, due to increase in stress, material hardship, food insecurity, and long-term school readiness.
AHRQ-funded; HS000063.
Citation: Fraiman YS, Litt JS, Davis JM .
Racial and ethnic disparities in adult COVID-19 and the future impact on child health.
Pediatr Res 2021 Apr;89(5):1052-54. doi: 10.1038/s41390-021-01377-x..
Keywords: COVID-19, Children/Adolescents, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Disparities, Health Status, Social Determinants of Health
Dos Santos Marques IC, Theiss LM, Wood LN
Racial disparities exist in surgical outcomes for patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
The authors hypothesized that racial disparities exist for Hispanic and Asian patients undergoing surgery for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS- NSQIP) was used. They found that racial disparities do exist among IBD patients undergoing surgery. Black, Hispanic, and Asian IBD patients experience major disparities in post-operative complications, readmissions, and length of stay, respectively, when compared to White patients with IBD. They recommended future research to better understand the mechanisms of these disparities including evaluation of social determinants of health.
AHRQ-funded; HS023009.
Citation: Dos Santos Marques IC, Theiss LM, Wood LN .
Racial disparities exist in surgical outcomes for patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
Am J Surg 2021 Apr;221(4):668-74. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2020.12.010..
Keywords: Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Surgery, Digestive Disease and Health, Outcomes
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
Ragavan M, Syed-Swift Y, Elwy AR
The influence of culture on healthy relationship formation and teen dating violence: a qualitative analysis of South Asian female youth residing in the United States.
Teen dating violence (TDV) has well-documented detrimental health effects. Scant research has examined the perspectives of ethnically diverse youth about the impact of culture on TDV. In this study, the investigators sought to explore the intersection between culture and TDV specifically for South Asian youth residing in the United States by conducting semi-structured interviews with South Asian youth aged 16 to 21 years.
AHRQ-funded; HS022242.
Citation: Ragavan M, Syed-Swift Y, Elwy AR .
The influence of culture on healthy relationship formation and teen dating violence: a qualitative analysis of South Asian female youth residing in the United States.
J Interpers Violence 2021 Apr;36(7-8):Np4336-np62. doi: 10.1177/0886260518787815..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Domestic Violence, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Ahmedov M, Pourat N, Liu H
Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) survey of experiences with ambulatory healthcare for Asians and non-Hispanic Whites in the United States.
This paper discusses the results of the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) Clinical and Group (CG-CAHPS) Adult Visit Survey 1.0 which includes data on care experiences to compare specific aspects of care of Asians and Whites. Most surveys were administered by mail with a sample comprised of 64% female, 89% White, 2% Asian, 39% 65 years or older, and 32% were high school graduates or less. Asians reported worse access, lower scores on office staff courtesy and helpfulness and rating their doctors, and were less likely to recommend their doctors to family/friends than did Whites.
AHRQ-funded; HS016980; HS016978.
Citation: Ahmedov M, Pourat N, Liu H .
Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) survey of experiences with ambulatory healthcare for Asians and non-Hispanic Whites in the United States.
J Patient Rep Outcomes 2021 Mar 24;5(1):29. doi: 10.1186/s41687-021-00303-3..
Keywords: Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS), Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Patient Experience, Quality of Care, Ambulatory Care and Surgery
Smith JM, Jarrín OF, Lin H
Racial disparities in post-acute home health care referral and utilization among older adults with diabetes.
The purpose of this study was to examine the association between race/ethnicity and hospital discharge to home health care and subsequent utilization of home health care among a cohort of adults (age 50 and older) who experienced a diabetes-related hospitalization. The investigators found that among those discharged to home health care, all non-white racial/ethnic minority patients were less likely to receive services within 14-days.
AHRQ-funded; HS022406.
Citation: Smith JM, Jarrín OF, Lin H .
Racial disparities in post-acute home health care referral and utilization among older adults with diabetes.
Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021 Mar 19;18(6):3196. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18063196..
Keywords: Elderly, Home Healthcare, Diabetes, Chronic Conditions, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Disparities, Access to Care, Healthcare Utilization
Griesemer I, Hausmann LR, Arbeeva L
Discrimination experiences and depressive symptoms among African Americans with osteoarthritis enrolled in a pain coping skills training randomized controlled trial.
This study evaluated the interaction between discrimination experiences and depressive symptoms among African Americans with osteoarthritis enrolled in a pain coping skills training (PCST) randomized controlled trial. The authors evaluated the interactions for 164 participants in linear regression models predicting depressive symptoms. There was a significant interaction between personal discrimination and experimental condition on depressive symptoms. Discrimination was associated with depressive symptoms among the control group but not among those who received PCST.
AHRQ-funded; HS000032.
Citation: Griesemer I, Hausmann LR, Arbeeva L .
Discrimination experiences and depressive symptoms among African Americans with osteoarthritis enrolled in a pain coping skills training randomized controlled trial.
J Health Care Poor Underserved 2021;32(1):145-55. doi: 10.1353/hpu.2021.0014..
Keywords: Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Pain, Arthritis, Orthopedics, Patient Experience, Depression
Wegienka G, Stewart EA, Nicholson WK
Black women are more likely than White women to schedule a uterine-sparing treatment for leiomyomas.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate differences in the proportion of uterine fibroid (UF) treatments that were uterine-sparing between Black women and White women and identify factors that could explain disparities. The investigators concluded that in these participants, Black women were more likely to schedule a uterine-sparing UF treatment and a nonsurgical UF treatment than their White counterparts; the researchers indicated that this may not be true for all women though.
AHRQ-funded; HS023418.
Citation: Wegienka G, Stewart EA, Nicholson WK .
Black women are more likely than White women to schedule a uterine-sparing treatment for leiomyomas.
J Womens Health 2021 Mar;30(3):355-66. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2020.8634..
Keywords: Women, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Surgery
Teixeira da Silva D, Biello K, Lin WY
COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among an online sample of sexual and gender minority men and transgender women.
Sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations are particularly vulnerable to poor COVID-19 outcomes and are more likely to experience stigma and medical mistrust that may impact COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. This study examined the prevalence of COVID testing and diagnosis and assessed COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among a large sample of SGM. The investigators found that black participants were significantly less likely to accept a COVID-19 vaccine, and Asian participants were significantly more likely to accept a vaccine, compared to White peers.
AHRQ-funded; HS0226116.
Citation: Teixeira da Silva D, Biello K, Lin WY .
COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among an online sample of sexual and gender minority men and transgender women.
Vaccines 2021 Mar;9(3). doi: 10.3390/vaccines9030204..
Keywords: Vaccination, COVID-19, Public Health, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Vulnerable Populations
Feinberg E, Kuhn J, Eilenberg JS
Improving family navigation for children with autism: a comparison of two pilot randomized controlled trials.
This study looked at impacts of a modification to a pilot program called Family Navigation to help low-income, minority children needing autism-related diagnostic services receive those services. An advisory group recommended modifications to recruitment criteria and study conditions. 40 parent-child dyad participants were randomized between the two pilots to receive usual care (UC) or modified FN. Participant enrollment, satisfaction with clinical care, and timely completion of the diagnostic assessment were compared. Recruitment improved significantly with the modified protocol (4.8% vs. 19.5%) and no participants were excluded from study enrollment compared to the first pilot (43.6%). Families in the second pilot were more likely to complete diagnostic assessment and report greater satisfaction with clinical care.
AHRQ-funded; HS022155; HS022242.
Citation: Feinberg E, Kuhn J, Eilenberg JS .
Improving family navigation for children with autism: a comparison of two pilot randomized controlled trials.
Acad Pediatr 2021 Mar;21(2):265-71. doi: 10.1016/j.acap.2020.04.007..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Autism, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Care Coordination, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Low-Income, Patient and Family Engagement, Chronic Conditions
Sinclair KA, Muller C, Noonan C
Increasing health equity through biospecimen research: Identification of factors that influence willingness of Native Americans to donate biospecimens.
American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people are underrepresented in biomedical research, particularly in biospecimen research, yet little research has been conducted to assess AI/AN attitudes about biospecimen donation. In this study, the researchers identified factors that influence willingness of Native Americans to donate biospecimens. Their results highlighted areas in which interventions could be developed to increase AI/AN donation of biospecimens for research with the ultimate goal of reducing health disparities.
AHRQ-funded; HS023576.
Citation: Sinclair KA, Muller C, Noonan C .
Increasing health equity through biospecimen research: Identification of factors that influence willingness of Native Americans to donate biospecimens.
Prev Med Rep 2021 Mar;21:101311. doi: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2021.101311..
Keywords: Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Research Methodologies
Han B, Chen PG, Yu H
Access to after-hours primary care: a key determinant of children's medical home status.
Researchers sought to identify individual survey items or domains that best predict medical home (MH) status for children and use them to develop brief markers of MH status. Using MEPS data, they found that accessibility, especially the ability to access health care after regular office hours, appeared to be the major predictor of having a MH among children. They recommended that the ongoing efforts to promote the MH model target improving accessibility of health care after regular hours for children overall and especially for Latino children.
AHRQ-funded; HS023336.
Citation: Han B, Chen PG, Yu H .
Access to after-hours primary care: a key determinant of children's medical home status.
BMC Health Serv Res 2021 Feb 27;21(1):185. doi: 10.1186/s12913-021-06192-y..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Children/Adolescents, Primary Care: Models of Care, Primary Care, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Access to Care, Healthcare Delivery, Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Hill LM, Lightfoot AF, Riggins L
Awareness of and attitudes toward pre-exposure prophylaxis among African American women living in low-income neighborhoods in a Southeastern city.
The authors conducted a venue-based community survey with 53 African American women living in low-income neighborhoods of a Southeastern city in order to understand women's knowledge of and attitudes toward pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). They found that awareness of PrEP was very low, with only 16% being aware that PrEP is used for HIV prevention. The vast majority reported that they would use or would consider using PrEP, most frequently citing a general interest in HIV prevention or a lack of awareness of their partners' HIV status as motivations for their interest. Some women expressed concerns about side effects or low perceived HIV risk as disincentives for PrEP use.
AHRQ-funded; HS000032.
Citation: Hill LM, Lightfoot AF, Riggins L .
Awareness of and attitudes toward pre-exposure prophylaxis among African American women living in low-income neighborhoods in a Southeastern city.
AIDS Care 2021 Feb;33(2):239-43. doi: 10.1080/09540121.2020.1769834..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Women, Low-Income, Prevention, Medication
Sedhom R, Nudotor R, Freund KM
Can community health workers increase palliative care use for African American patients? A pilot study.
African American patients with cancer underutilize advance care planning (ACP) and palliative care (PC). This feasibility study investigated whether community health workers (CHWs) could improve ACP and PC utilization for African American patients with advanced cancer. The investigators concluded that utilization of CHWs to address PC domains and social determinants of health was feasible. Although study enrollment was identified as a potential barrier, most recruited patients were retained on study.
AHRQ-funded; HS024736.
Citation: Sedhom R, Nudotor R, Freund KM .
Can community health workers increase palliative care use for African American patients? A pilot study.
JCO Oncol Pract 2021 Feb;17(2):e158-e67. doi: 10.1200/op.20.00574..
Keywords: Palliative Care, Community-Based Practice, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Lee CI, Zhu W, Onega T
Comparative access to and use of digital breast tomosynthesis screening by women's race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status.
This study looked at access to digital breast tomography (DBT) versus regular mammography and whether women of minority race/ethnicity and lower socioeconomic status experienced lower DBT access during the early adoption period and persistently lower DBT use over time. This cross-sectional study included 92 geographically diverse imaging facilities across 5 US states, with over 2.3 million screening examinations performed among women aged 40 to 89 years from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2017. Data were analyzed from June 2019, to August 2020. Women who used DBT increased for all women from 3.3% in 2011 to 82.6% in 2017. In 2012, Black, Hispanic, Asian American, and women with less than a high school education had lower DBT access compared to White women attending the same facility and also college graduates. Lower DBT access continued over time regardless of the number of years after facility-level DBT adoption.
AHRQ-funded; HS018366.
Citation: Lee CI, Zhu W, Onega T .
Comparative access to and use of digital breast tomosynthesis screening by women's race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status.
JAMA Netw Open 2021 Feb;4(2):e2037546. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.37546..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Imaging, Access to Care, Women, Social Determinants of Health, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Screening
Safon CB, Heeren TC, Kerr SM
Disparities in breastfeeding among U.S. Black mothers: identification of mechanisms.
Disparities in U.S. breastfeeding rates persist among Black mothers according to birth country and between Black and White mothers, necessitating further investigation of modifiable mediating factors to inform interventions. This study sought to examine the extent that social, maternal, infant factors and Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) domains (attitudes, perceived control, and subjective norms) mediated the association of maternal race/birth country and breastfeeding continuation.
AHRQ-funded; HS022242.
Citation: Safon CB, Heeren TC, Kerr SM .
Disparities in breastfeeding among U.S. Black mothers: identification of mechanisms.
Breastfeed Med 2021 Feb;16(2):140-49. doi: 10.1089/bfm.2020.0310..
Keywords: Breast Feeding, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Disparities, Maternal Care, Women
Jackman KP, Hightow-Weidman L, Poteat T
Evaluating psychometric determinants of willingness to adopt sexual health patient portal services among black college students: a mixed-methods approach.
The authors used mixed methods to describe perceptions of access to sexually transmitted infection test results via electronic personal health record (PHR) and correlates of willingness to adopt its use. Three qualitative themes emerged on relative advantages, barriers, and functionality of PHRs. Reliable latent factors, centering on PHR convenience and functionality, were positively associated with adoption willingness. Adoption may be boosted with tailored designs responsive to expressed service needs.
AHRQ-funded; HS023057.
Citation: Jackman KP, Hightow-Weidman L, Poteat T .
Evaluating psychometric determinants of willingness to adopt sexual health patient portal services among black college students: a mixed-methods approach.
J Am Coll Health 2021 Feb-Mar;69(2):190-97. doi: 10.1080/07448481.2019.1660352..
Keywords: Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Young Adults, Sexual Health, Disparities, Infectious Diseases
Huguet N, Schmidt T, Larson A
Prevalence of pre-existing conditions among community health center patients with COVID-19: implications for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Researchers described the prevalence of pre-existing conditions among community health center patients overall and those with COVID-19 by race/ethnicity. Electronic health record data from OCHIN, a network of 396 community health centers across 14 states, was used. They concluded that since the future of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is uncertain, and since the long-term health effects of COVID-19 are largely unknown, ensuring that people with pre-existing conditions can acquire health insurance is essential to achieving health equity.
AHRQ-funded; HS025962.
Citation: Huguet N, Schmidt T, Larson A .
Prevalence of pre-existing conditions among community health center patients with COVID-19: implications for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
J Am Board Fam Med 2021 Feb;34(Suppl):S247-s49. doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2021.S1.200571..
Keywords: Electronic Health Records (EHRs), COVID-19, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Policy, Healthcare Delivery