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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 20 of 20 Research Studies DisplayedSteenland MW, Wilson IB, Matteson KA
Association of Medicaid expansion in Arkansas with postpartum coverage, outpatient care, and racial disparities.
This study’s objective was to measure the association of Medicaid expansion in Arkansas with postpartum coverage, outpatient care, and racial disparities. A total of 60,990 childbirths were reviewed from January 1, 2014 on with a total of 72.3% paid for by Medicaid and 27.7% paid for by a commercial payer. The mean age of the birthing person was 27; with 67% White, 22% Black, and 7% Hispanic. Medicaid expansion in Arkansas was associated with a 27.8 percentage point increase in continuous insurance coverage and an increase in outpatient visits of 0.9 during the first 6 months postpartum, representing relative increases of 54.9% and 75.0%, respectively. Racial disparities in postpartum coverage decreased from 6.3 percentage points before expansion to -2.0 after. However, disparities in outpatient care after expansion persisted between Black and White individuals.
AHRQ-funded; HS027464.
Citation: Steenland MW, Wilson IB, Matteson KA .
Association of Medicaid expansion in Arkansas with postpartum coverage, outpatient care, and racial disparities.
JAMA Health Forum 2021 Dec;2(12):e214167. doi: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2021.4167..
Keywords: Medicaid, Maternal Care, Pregnancy, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Disparities, Policy, Women, Access to Care
Burris HH, Passarella M, Handley SC
Black-white disparities in maternal in-hospital mortality according to teaching and black-serving hospital status.
This study’s objective was to determine whether black-white disparities in maternal in-hospital mortality during delivery vary across hospital types (black-serving vs non-black and teaching vs non-teaching) and whether overall maternal mortality differs across hospital types. The authors performed a population-based, retrospective cohort study of 5,679,044 deliveries among black (14.2%) and white patients (85.8%) in 3 states (California, Missouri, and Pennsylvania) from 1995 to 2009. Examination of black-white disparities found that after risk adjustment, black patients had significantly greater risk of death and that the disparity was similar within each of the hospital types. At teaching hospitals, mortality was similar in black-serving and nonblack-serving hospitals. Among non-teaching hospitals, mortality was significantly higher in black-serving vs nonblack-serving hospitals. Over half (53%) of black patients delivered in nonteaching black-serving hospitals compared with just 19% of white patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS018661.
Citation: Burris HH, Passarella M, Handley SC .
Black-white disparities in maternal in-hospital mortality according to teaching and black-serving hospital status.
Am J Obstet Gynecol 2021 Jul;225(1):83.e1-83.e9. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2021.01.004..
Keywords: Maternal Care, Pregnancy, Mortality, Women, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Disparities, Hospitals
Lange EMS, Toledo P
Peripartum racial/ethnic disparities.
Addressing disparities has been a focus of the US Department of Health and Human Services Healthy People initiative for decades, with the most recent Healthy People 2020 establishing a need for health equity in the United States. In this article, the investigators presented an overview of peripartum racial/ethnic disparities and address potential structural solutions to improve maternal health equity.
AHRQ-funded; HS025267.
Citation: Lange EMS, Toledo P .
Peripartum racial/ethnic disparities.
Int Anesthesiol Clin 2021 Jul 1;59(3):1-7. doi: 10.1097/aia.0000000000000326..
Keywords: Maternal Care, Pregnancy, Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Women
Chen DW, Reyes-Gastelum D, Hawley ST
Unmet information needs among Hispanic women with thyroid cancer.
The authors sought to determine the relationship between acculturation level and unmet information needs among Hispanic women with thyroid cancer. They assessed acculturation with the Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanics. They found that low-acculturated (vs high-acculturated) Hispanic women with thyroid cancer have greater unmet information needs, emphasizing the importance of patient-focused approaches to providing medical information.
AHRQ-funded; HS024512.
Citation: Chen DW, Reyes-Gastelum D, Hawley ST .
Unmet information needs among Hispanic women with thyroid cancer.
J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2021 Jun 16;106(7):e2680-e87. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgab128..
Keywords: Cancer, Women, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Education: Patient and Caregiver, Cultural Competence
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.
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
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
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
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
Reese TJ, Schlechter CR, Potter LN
Evaluation of revised US Preventive Services Task Force lung cancer screening guideline among women and racial/ethnic minority populations.
The purpose of this study was to determine the changes associated with the revised USPSTF guideline for lung cancer screening eligibility among female, Black, and Hispanic populations using a large nationwide survey. The investigators concluded that the revised USPSTF guideline may likely increase lung cancer screening rates for female, Black, and Hispanic populations. However, despite these potential improvements, lung cancer screening inequities may persist without tailored eligibility criteria.
AHRQ-funded; HS026198.
Citation: Reese TJ, Schlechter CR, Potter LN .
Evaluation of revised US Preventive Services Task Force lung cancer screening guideline among women and racial/ethnic minority populations.
JAMA Netw Open 2021 Jan;4(1):e2033769. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.33769..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Cancer: Lung Cancer, Cancer, Screening, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Women, Guidelines, Evidence-Based Practice
Li J, Pesko MF, Unruh MA
Effect of the Medicaid primary care rate increase on prenatal care utilization among Medicaid-insured women.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the 2013-2014 ACA Medicaid Primary Care Rate Increase on Medicaid-insured women's prenatal care utilization, overall and by race and ethnicity. The investigators concluded that the Medicaid "fee bump" improved prenatal care utilization for non-Hispanic Black and White women. They suggest that policymakers may consider reinstating higher Medicaid reimbursements to improve access to care for disadvantaged populations.
AHRQ-funded; HS024357.
Citation: Li J, Pesko MF, Unruh MA .
Effect of the Medicaid primary care rate increase on prenatal care utilization among Medicaid-insured women.
Matern Child Health J 2019 Nov;23(11):1564-72. doi: 10.1007/s10995-019-02804-6..
Keywords: Medicaid, Primary Care, Maternal Care, Pregnancy, Women, Healthcare Utilization, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Disparities
Burnett-Zeigler I, Satyshur MD, Hong S
Acceptability of a mindfulness intervention for depressive symptoms among African-American women in a community health center: a qualitative study.
The authors examined the acceptability and feasibility of a mindfulness-based group intervention for socio-economically disadvantaged women in an urban community health center. Participants reported benefits to the intervention as well as barriers to session attendance. The authors concluded that the mindfulness-based intervention for depression was acceptable, reduced stress, and improved coping and functioning among women in a community health center.
AHRQ-funded; HS023011.
Citation: Burnett-Zeigler I, Satyshur MD, Hong S .
Acceptability of a mindfulness intervention for depressive symptoms among African-American women in a community health center: a qualitative study.
Complement Ther Med 2019 Aug;45:19-24. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2019.05.012..
Keywords: Community-Based Practice, Depression, Behavioral Health, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Women
Lipira L, Williams EC, Huh D
HIV-related stigma and viral suppression among African-American women: exploring the mediating roles of depression and ART nonadherence.
Investigators recruited a sample of African-American women living with HIV to participate in a stigma-reduction intervention. The women lived in Chicago and Birmingham from 2013 to 2015. The relationship between HIV-related stigma and viral suppression was evaluated and the role of depression and nonadherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) was assessed. Among 100 women who participated 95% reported some level of HIV-related stigma. Those who reported higher levels of stigma did have lower odds of being virally suppressed. The indirect effects of depression and ART nonadherence were not statistically significant.
AHRQ-funded; HS013853.
Citation: Lipira L, Williams EC, Huh D .
HIV-related stigma and viral suppression among African-American women: exploring the mediating roles of depression and ART nonadherence.
AIDS Behav 2019 Aug;23(8):2025-36. doi: 10.1007/s10461-018-2301-4..
Keywords: Depression, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Medication, Behavioral Health, Patient Adherence/Compliance, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Social Stigma, Women
Wright NC, Melton ME, Sohail M
Race plays a role in the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of women with osteoporosis.
This study examined racial disparities in knowledge of osteoporosis among women aged 65 and over with osteoporosis. Focus groups were created with a total of 48 women (36 white, 12 African American) enrolled. A knowledge scale called “Osteoporosis & You” was used to compare scores. White women had a mean score of 7.8 versus African American women who scored a mean of 6.6 out of 10 on the scale. The “powerful others” domain was significantly higher among African Americans versus white women as well. These racial differences can impact bone health and indicated a need to improve education and awareness about osteoporosis among African American women.
AHRQ-funded; HS023009.
Citation: Wright NC, Melton ME, Sohail M .
Race plays a role in the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of women with osteoporosis.
J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2019 Aug;6(4):707-18. doi: 10.1007/s40615-019-00569-w..
Keywords: Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Osteoporosis, Women
Burnett-Zeigler I, Hong S, Waldron EM
A mindfulness-based intervention for low-income African American women with depressive symptoms delivered by an experienced instructor versus a novice instructor.
The authors piloted a streamlined mindfulness teacher training protocol for Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) staff. They also examined the distribution and variability of psychologic outcomes for participants in groups led by an experienced instructor compared to a FQHC staff instructor who received the streamlined training. They concluded that preliminary data indicate that health care staff who receive streamlined training to deliver mindfulness-based interventions have comparable outcomes as experienced instructors.
AHRQ-funded; HS023011.
Citation: Burnett-Zeigler I, Hong S, Waldron EM .
A mindfulness-based intervention for low-income African American women with depressive symptoms delivered by an experienced instructor versus a novice instructor.
J Altern Complement Med 2019 Jul;25(7):699-708. doi: 10.1089/acm.2018.0393..
Keywords: Behavioral Health, Comparative Effectiveness, Depression, Low-Income, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Vulnerable Populations, Training, Women
Lipira L, Williams EC, Nevin PE
Religiosity, social support, and ethnic identity: exploring "resilience resources" for African-American women experiencing HIV-related stigma.
The objective of this study was to evaluate whether religiosity, social support, and ethnic identity moderate the effects of HIV-related stigma on depression among African-American women living with HIV. Results showed that the protective effects of religiosity may be leveraged in interventions for African-American women living with HIV struggling with HIV-related stigma.
AHRQ-funded; HS013853.
Citation: Lipira L, Williams EC, Nevin PE .
Religiosity, social support, and ethnic identity: exploring "resilience resources" for African-American women experiencing HIV-related stigma.
J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2019 Jun;81(2):175-83. doi: 10.1097/qai.0000000000002006..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Social Stigma, Women, Depression, Behavioral Health
Javier SJ, Belgrave FZ
"I'm not white, I have to be pretty and skinny": a qualitative exploration of body image and eating disorders among Asian American women.
The authors examined the relationships between body image, eating disorders, and treatment-seeking motivations among Asian American women ages 18-24. Using focus groups, they developed a model to be utilized by practitioners or clinicians to help obtain a better understanding of the societal, interpersonal, and intrapersonal forces that may shape conceptualizations about body image and eating behaviors among Asian American women. In addition, findings from this study can be incorporated into prevention programs and interventions that focus on mental health among this population.
AHRQ-funded; HS023731.
Citation: Javier SJ, Belgrave FZ .
"I'm not white, I have to be pretty and skinny": a qualitative exploration of body image and eating disorders among Asian American women.
Asian Am J Psychol 2019 Jun;10(2):141-53. doi: 10.1037/aap0000133..
Keywords: Behavioral Health, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Women, Young Adults
Hoover DS, Pappadis MR, Housten AJ
Preferences for communicating about breast cancer screening among racially/ethnically diverse older women.
The purpose of this study was to examine preferences for communicating about screening mammography among racially/ethnically diverse older women. Through in-depth interviews, findings revealed that older women desire information about the benefits and harms of screening mammography and would prefer to learn this information through discussions with healthcare providers and multiple other formats. Results were consistent regardless of participants' age, race/ethnicity, or education.
AHRQ-funded; HS022134.
Citation: Hoover DS, Pappadis MR, Housten AJ .
Preferences for communicating about breast cancer screening among racially/ethnically diverse older women.
Health Commun 2019 Jun;34(7):702-06. doi: 10.1080/10410236.2018.1431026..
Keywords: Cancer, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Clinician-Patient Communication, Communication, Elderly, Women, Prevention, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Screening
Arana E, Carroll-Scott A, Massey PM
Racial/ethnic disparities in mammogram frequency among women with intellectual disability.
The purpose of this study was to collect survey and medical record data to examine associations between intellectual disability (ID) and race/ethnicity on mammogram frequency. Hispanic and Black women with ID are more likely than White women with ID to have mammograms every 2 years. Women who live in State-funded residences, are aged 50 and over, and had a mild or moderate level of ID impairment were more likely to have mammograms compared to those who lived with family or alone, were under 50, or who had severe ID impairment. The authors conclude that further research is needed to understand the mechanisms that explain these disparities.
AHRQ-funded; HS023966.
Citation: Arana E, Carroll-Scott A, Massey PM .
Racial/ethnic disparities in mammogram frequency among women with intellectual disability.
Intellect Dev Disabil 2019 Jun;57(3):177-87. doi: 10.1352/1934-9556-57.3.177..
Keywords: Disabilities, Disparities, Imaging, Prevention, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Screening, Women
Shorten A, Shorten B, Fagerlin A
A study to assess the feasibility of implementing a web-based decision aid for birth after cesarean to increase opportunities for shared decision making in ethnically diverse settings.
This article describes a study that tested the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-secure, Web-based decision aid tool that supports shared decisionmaking with regard to birth choices after cesarean in urban, ethnically diverse outpatient settings. Sixty-eight women participated in the study; the measures included the women's knowledge, decisional conflict, birth preferences and outcomes, decision aid use and acceptability ratings, and views on how the decision aid supported shared decisionmaking. The women rated the content, features, and functions as good or excellent. Most indicated they would recommend it to others. The researchers conclude that while the decision aid is feasible, strategies are needed to improve women's access and to encourage timely decision aid usage to prepare them for decision discussions with health care providers.
AHRQ-funded; HS022114.
Citation: Shorten A, Shorten B, Fagerlin A .
A study to assess the feasibility of implementing a web-based decision aid for birth after cesarean to increase opportunities for shared decision making in ethnically diverse settings.
J Midwifery Womens Health 2019 Jan;64(1):78-87. doi: 10.1111/jmwh.12908..
Keywords: Decision Making, Education: Patient and Caregiver, Health Information Technology (HIT), Pregnancy, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Web-Based, Women