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
Topics
- Access to Care (1)
- Ambulatory Care and Surgery (1)
- Cancer (1)
- Cardiovascular Conditions (1)
- Children/Adolescents (3)
- Chronic Conditions (1)
- Depression (1)
- Diabetes (2)
- Disparities (4)
- Education (1)
- Evidence-Based Practice (3)
- Guidelines (1)
- Healthcare Utilization (1)
- Health Insurance (1)
- Health Promotion (1)
- Heart Disease and Health (1)
- Hospitalization (1)
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (1)
- Implementation (2)
- Lifestyle Changes (1)
- Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) (3)
- Obesity (1)
- Outcomes (1)
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (1)
- (-) Prevention (16)
- Primary Care (2)
- Racial and Ethnic Minorities (3)
- Research Methodologies (2)
- Risk (1)
- Rural Health (1)
- Screening (4)
- (-) Social Determinants of Health (16)
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) (3)
- Uninsured (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 16 of 16 Research Studies DisplayedLin JS, Hoffman L, Bean SI
Addressing racism in preventive services: methods report to support the US Preventive Services Task Force.
The purpose of this report was to articulate the definitional and conceptual issues around racism and health inequity and to describe how racism and health inequities are currently addressed in preventive health. An audit was conducted assessing published literature on policy and position statements addressing racism, a subset of cancer and cardiovascular topics in USPSTF reports, recent systematic reviews on interventions to reduce health inequities, and societies, organizations, agencies, and funding bodies to gather information about how they address racism and health equity. Findings showed that racism is complex and pervasive, operates at multiple interrelated levels, and exerts negative effects on other social determinants and health and well-being through multiple pathways. The most directly relevant and immediately useful guidance identified is that from the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) working group.
AHRQ-funded; 290201600006C.
Citation: Lin JS, Hoffman L, Bean SI .
Addressing racism in preventive services: methods report to support the US Preventive Services Task Force.
JAMA 2021 Dec 21;326(23):2412-20. doi: 10.1001/jama.2021.17579..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Social Determinants of Health, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Disparities, Research Methodologies, Prevention, Evidence-Based Practice
Whooten RC, Horan C, Cordes J
Evaluating the implementation of a before-school physical activity program: a mixed-methods approach in Massachusetts, 2018.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the implementation of a widely available, before-school, physical activity program in a low-resource, racially/ethnically and socioeconomically diverse, urban school setting to identify adaptations needed for successful implementation. The investigators used a collaborative effort with stakeholders to implement the Build Our Kids' Success (BOKS) program in 3 schools in Revere, Massachusetts.
AHRQ-funded; HS000063.
Citation: Whooten RC, Horan C, Cordes J .
Evaluating the implementation of a before-school physical activity program: a mixed-methods approach in Massachusetts, 2018.
Prev Chronic Dis 2020 Oct 1;17:E116. doi: 10.5888/pcd17.190445..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Education, Implementation, Health Promotion, Prevention, Lifestyle Changes, Social Determinants of Health
Davidson KW, Kemper AR, Doubeni CA
AHRQ Author: Mills J, Borsky A
Developing primary care-based recommendations for social determinants of health: methods of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
This article highlights social determinants already included in USPSTF recommendations and proposes a process by which others may be considered for primary care preventive recommendations. By reviewing the evidence on the effects of screening and interventions on social determinants relevant to primary care, the USPSTF will continue to be able to provide recommendations on clinical preventive services to improve the health of all Americans.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Davidson KW, Kemper AR, Doubeni CA .
Developing primary care-based recommendations for social determinants of health: methods of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Ann Intern Med 2020 Sep 15;173(6):461-67. doi: 10.7326/m20-0730..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Primary Care, Social Determinants of Health, Evidence-Based Practice, Guidelines, Screening, Prevention
Krist AH, Davidson KW, Ngo-Metzger Q
AHRQ Author: Ngo-Metzger Q, Mills J
Social determinants as a preventive service: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force methods considerations for research.
The authors offer a brief review of the social determinants of health that may be germane to the USPSTF, the methods the USPSTF uses to evaluate relevant evidence, and current evidence gaps for social risks. Their road map for research is intended to spark ingenuity and purpose in the next generation of research studies, thereby ensuring that future recommendations to address and prevent social risks in primary care are informed by high-quality evidence.
AHRQ-authored; AHRQ-funded; HS026664.
Citation: Krist AH, Davidson KW, Ngo-Metzger Q .
Social determinants as a preventive service: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force methods considerations for research.
Am J Prev Med 2019 Dec;57(6s1):S6-s12. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2019.07.013..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Social Determinants of Health, Research Methodologies, Evidence-Based Practice, Prevention
Kim B, Callander D, DiClemente R
Location of pre-exposure prophylaxis services across New York City neighborhoods: do neighborhood socio-demographic characteristics and HIV incidence Matter?
This study analyzed the New York City geographic distribution of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) providers and the relationship between their location, neighborhood characteristics, and HIV incidence using spatial analytic methods. Results showed that neighborhood socio-demographic measures of race/ethnicity, income, insurance coverage, or same-sex couple household, were not associated with PrEP provider density, and PrEP providers were located in high HIV-incidence neighborhoods. These findings validate the need for ongoing policy interventions in relation to PrEP provider locations in New York City and inform the design of future PrEP implementation strategies, such as public health campaigns and navigation assistance for low-cost insurance.
AHRQ-funded; HS026120.
Citation: Kim B, Callander D, DiClemente R .
Location of pre-exposure prophylaxis services across New York City neighborhoods: do neighborhood socio-demographic characteristics and HIV incidence Matter?
AIDS Behav 2019 Oct;23(10):2795-802. doi: 10.1007/s10461-019-02609-2..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Prevention, Access to Care, Social Determinants of Health
Kato E, Borsky AE, Zuvekas SH
AHRQ Author: Kato E, Borsky AE, Zuvekas SH, Soni A, Ngo-Metzger Q
Missed opportunities for depression screening and treatment in the United States.
This study estimates the prevalence of depression assessment in adults age 35 and older and how prevalence varies by sociodemographic characteristics and depressive symptoms. It found that approximately 50 percent of US adults aged 35+ were being assessed for depression in 2014-2015. Certain populations were more likely to be missed, including men, people over 75 years old, minorities, and the uninsured.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Kato E, Borsky AE, Zuvekas SH .
Missed opportunities for depression screening and treatment in the United States.
J Am Board Fam Med 2018 May-Jun;31(3):389-97. doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2018.03.170406.
.
.
Keywords: Depression, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Prevention, Screening, Social Determinants of Health
Lobo JM, Anderson R, Stukenborg GJ
Disparities in the use of diabetes screening in Appalachia.
This study examines disparities in the use of diabetes screening in Appalachia. Results showed that at-risk counties had significantly lower screening rates than competitive counties. Recommendations include introducing social policies that improve socioeconomic status and educational attainment, and health policies that reduce barriers to access to care in order to reduce disparities in diabetes screening rates in the less affluent Appalachian counties.
AHRQ-funded; HS018542.
Citation: Lobo JM, Anderson R, Stukenborg GJ .
Disparities in the use of diabetes screening in Appalachia.
J Rural Health 2018 Mar;34(2):173-81. doi: 10.1111/jrh.12247..
Keywords: Diabetes, Rural Health, Disparities, Social Determinants of Health, Screening, Prevention
LaForge K, Gold R, Cottrell E
How 6 organizations developed tools and processes for social determinants of health screening in primary care: an overview.
Little is known about how health care organizations are developing tools for identifying/addressing patients' social determinants of health (SDH). The authors of this paper describe the processes recently used by 6 organizations to develop SDH screening tools for ambulatory care and the barriers they faced during those efforts.
AHRQ-funded; HS023324.
Citation: LaForge K, Gold R, Cottrell E .
How 6 organizations developed tools and processes for social determinants of health screening in primary care: an overview.
J Ambul Care Manage 2018 Jan/Mar;41(1):2-14. doi: 10.1097/jac.0000000000000221..
Keywords: Ambulatory Care and Surgery, Prevention, Primary Care, Screening, Social Determinants of Health
Sohn MW, Kang H, Park JS
Disparities in recommended preventive care usage among persons living with diabetes in the Appalachian region.
This study examined disparities in the receipt of preventive care recommended by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) between Appalachian and non-Appalachian counties and within Appalachian counties. It concluded that there are significant disparities in the uptake of many recommended preventive services between less and more affluent counties in the Appalachian region.
AHRQ-funded; HS018542.
Citation: Sohn MW, Kang H, Park JS .
Disparities in recommended preventive care usage among persons living with diabetes in the Appalachian region.
BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care 2016 Dec;4(1):e000284. doi: 10.1136/bmjdrc-2016-000284.
.
.
Keywords: Diabetes, Disparities, Prevention, Chronic Conditions, Social Determinants of Health
Spatz ES, Jiang X, Lu J
Qingdao Port Cardiovascular Health Study: a prospective cohort study.
The Qingdao Port Cardiovascular Health Study was designed to investigate the burden of cardiovascular disease and the sociodemographic, biological, environmental and clinical risk factors associated with disease onset and outcomes. Early findings reveal a significant increase in cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and body mass index) from 2000 to 2010.
AHRQ-funded; HS023000.
Citation: Spatz ES, Jiang X, Lu J .
Qingdao Port Cardiovascular Health Study: a prospective cohort study.
BMJ Open 2015 Dec 9;5(12):e008403. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-008403.
.
.
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Risk, Social Determinants of Health, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Prevention
Singal AG, El-Serag HB
Hepatocellular carcinoma from epidemiology to prevention: Translating knowledge into practice.
The effectiveness of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) prevention in clinical practice and at the population level has lagged behind due to patient, provider, system, and societal factors. The authors suggest that the Quality in the Continuum of Cancer Care model provides a framework for evaluating the HCC prevention processes, including potential failures that create a gap between efficacy and effectiveness.
AHRQ-funded; HS022418.
Citation: Singal AG, El-Serag HB .
Hepatocellular carcinoma from epidemiology to prevention: Translating knowledge into practice.
Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2015 Nov;13(12):2140-51. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2015.08.014.
.
.
Keywords: Cancer, Implementation, Prevention, Social Determinants of Health
Sentell T, Miyamura J, Ahn HJ
Potentially preventable hospitalizations for congestive heart failure among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Hawai'i.
The authors studied congestive heart failure (CHF) hospitalizations among racial groups. They found that high preventable CHF hospitalization rates are seen in some Asian and Pacific Islander groups, especially Native Hawaiians and Filipinos, who have these hospitalizations at younger ages than other studied groups.
AHRQ-funded; HS019990.
Citation: Sentell T, Miyamura J, Ahn HJ .
Potentially preventable hospitalizations for congestive heart failure among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Hawai'i.
J Immigr Minor Health 2015 Oct;17(5):1289-97. doi: 10.1007/s10903-014-0098-4.
.
.
Keywords: Heart Disease and Health, Hospitalization, Prevention, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Social Determinants of Health
Cai L, Wu Y, Cheskin LI
Effect of childhood obesity prevention programmes on blood lipids: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
This study, the first systematic, quantitative study of childhood obesity prevention programs on blood lipids in high-income countries found that most interventions (70 percent) showed similar significant or no effects on adiposity- and lipid outcomes; 15 percent of interventions improved both adiposity- and lipids outcomes; 55 percent had no significant effects on either. These programs had a significant desirable effect on LDL-C and HDL-C.
AHRQ-funded; 290200710061I
Citation: Cai L, Wu Y, Cheskin LI .
Effect of childhood obesity prevention programmes on blood lipids: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Obes Rev. 2014 Dec;15(12):933-44. doi: 10.1111/obr.12227..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Obesity, Prevention, Outcomes, Social Determinants of Health
John DA, de Castro AB, Duran B
Nativity and occupational class disparities in uninsurance and routine preventive care use among Asian Americans.
The researchers examined how nativity and occupational class among Asian Americans may explain disparities in uninsurance and use of routine preventive healthcare services such as routine physical checkup and dental/eye exams. They found that 35 to 40 percent of workers in blue-collar and service occupations reported no physical checkup or dental/eye exams in the past year.
AHRQ-funded; HS013853
Citation: John DA, de Castro AB, Duran B .
Nativity and occupational class disparities in uninsurance and routine preventive care use among Asian Americans.
J Immigr Minor Health. 2013 Dec;15(6):1011-22. doi: 10.1007/s10903-013-9851-3..
Keywords: Disparities, Uninsured, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Social Determinants of Health, Prevention
Abdus S, Selden TM
AHRQ Author: Abdus S, Selden TM
Preventive services for adults: how have differences across subgroups changed over the past decade?
This study uses MEPS data to track changes over time in the distribution of preventive services use across groups defined by poverty status, race/ethnicity, insurance coverage, Census region, and urbanicity. The analysis found that differences across subgroups tended to persist over time, with some of the largest gaps between adults with and without coverage. Regional differences persisted or widened over the study period.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Abdus S, Selden TM .
Preventive services for adults: how have differences across subgroups changed over the past decade?
Med Care 2013 Nov;51(11):999-1007. doi: 10.1097/MLR.0b013e3182a97bc0.
.
.
Keywords: Healthcare Utilization, Health Insurance, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Prevention, Social Determinants of Health
Abdus S, Selden TM
AHRQ Author: Abdus S, Selden TM
Adherence with recommended well-child visits has grown, but large gaps persist among various socioeconomic groups.
Using MEPS data, the authors examined trends in well-child visit adherence and whether differences across population subgroups narrowed or widened over time. They found that the ratio of actual to recommended visits rose, with large differences in adherence at the start of the study period across income, race or ethnicity, parent education, region, insurance coverage, and having a usual source of care. None of these differences had narrowed significantly by the end of the study period, and differences widened across parent education, between those with and without insurance coverage, by usual source of care, and between the Northeast and the Midwest and West regions.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Abdus S, Selden TM .
Adherence with recommended well-child visits has grown, but large gaps persist among various socioeconomic groups.
Health Aff 2013 Mar;32(3):508-15. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2012.0691.
.
.
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Prevention, Social Determinants of Health