National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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- Access to Care (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 20 of 20 Research Studies DisplayedKhoong EC, Rivadeneira NA, Pacca L
Extent of follow-up on abnormal cancer screening in multiple California public hospital systems: a retrospective review.
This report’s objective was to describes patterns of performance on follow-up of abnormal colon and breast cancer screening tests and explores the extent to which racial/ethnic disparities exist in public hospital systems. The authors conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from five California public hospital systems between July 2015 and June 2017. The authors assessed follow-up rates of colonoscopy after positive fecal immunochemical tests (FIT) and breast tissue biopsy within 21 days after a BIRADS 4/5 mammogram. Negative associations with follow-up colonoscopy were associated with older age, Medicaid insurance, lack of insurance, English language and site; while Hispanic ethnicity and Asian race were positively associated with follow-up colonoscopy. Of 1702 BIRADS 4/5 mammograms, 64% received a timely biopsy; only site was associated with timely follow-up biopsy. Site-level factors were found to have a larger, more consistent impact on follow-up rates than patient sociodemographic traits.
AHRQ-funded; HS024412.
Citation: Khoong EC, Rivadeneira NA, Pacca L .
Extent of follow-up on abnormal cancer screening in multiple California public hospital systems: a retrospective review.
J Gen Intern Med 2023 Jan; 38(1):21-29. doi: 10.1007/s11606-022-07657-4..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Cancer, Screening, Disparities, Women
Lock LJ, Channa R, Brennan MB
Effect of health system on the association of rurality and level of disadvantage with receipt of diabetic eye screening.
The goal of this retrospective cohort study was to determine the role of level of disadvantage in diabetic eye screening to explain the effect of health systems on rural and urban disparities. Researchers used an all-payer, statewide claims database to include adult Wisconsin residents with diabetes who had claims billed throughout the baseline and measurement years. Results indicated that patients from urban underserved clinics were more likely to receive screening than those from rural underserved clinics; similar findings emerged for both Medicare and non-Medicare subgroups. The researchers concluded that health systems, especially those that serve urban underserved populations, have an opportunity to increase screening rates by leveraging health system-level interventions and supporting patients in overcoming barriers.
AHRQ-funded; HS026279.
Citation: Lock LJ, Channa R, Brennan MB .
Effect of health system on the association of rurality and level of disadvantage with receipt of diabetic eye screening.
BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care 2022 Dec;10(6):e003174. doi: 10.1136/bmjdrc-2022-003174..
Keywords: Rural Health, Access to Care, Screening, Diabetes, Eye Disease and Health, Disparities, Chronic Conditions, Health Systems
Gorman DC, Ham SA, Staab EM
Medical assistant protocol improves disparities in depression screening rates.
This study examined the impacts of a medical assistant screening protocol on the rates of depression screening, overall and by sociodemographic groups, in a primary care setting. Findings showed that implementation of a medical assistant protocol in a primary care setting may significantly increase depression screening rates while mitigating or removing sociodemographic disparities.
AHRQ-funded; HS026151.
Citation: Gorman DC, Ham SA, Staab EM .
Medical assistant protocol improves disparities in depression screening rates.
Am J Prev Med 2021 Nov;61(5):692-700. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2021.05.010..
Keywords: Disparities, Depression, Behavioral Health, Screening, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Malhotra NA, Nevar A, Yearby R
Medicaid's EPSDT benefit: an opportunity to improve pediatric screening for social determinants of health.
This paper discusses the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPDST) benefit which is a key component of Medicaid policy intended to define an essential set of services provided to patients age 21 and younger. This qualitative review examines the extent to which EPSDT might be used to implement structured screening to identify environmental and social factors affecting children’s health. Semistructured interviews conducted in 2017 were triangulated with a review of the recent literature to describe how states currently consider the EPSDT benefit with respect to social determinants of health (SDOH) screening. Findings suggest that with sufficient stakeholder advocacy given the evidence supporting social determinants of health as “medically necessary”, EPSDT benefits could be considered as a funding source to incentivize the incorporation of SDOH screening into the basic package of well-child care.
AHRQ-funded; 233201600221A.
Citation: Malhotra NA, Nevar A, Yearby R .
Medicaid's EPSDT benefit: an opportunity to improve pediatric screening for social determinants of health.
Med Care Res Rev 2021 Apr;78(2):87-102. doi: 10.1177/1077558719874211..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Medicaid, Social Determinants of Health, Screening, Disparities, Policy
Sanchez JI, Shankaran V, Unger JM
Inequitable access to surveillance colonoscopy among Medicare beneficiaries with surgically resected colorectal cancer.
After colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery, surveillance with colonoscopy is an important step for the early detection of local recurrence. Unfortunately, surveillance colonoscopy is underused, especially among racial/ethnic minorities. This study assessed the association between patient and neighborhood factors and receipt of surveillance colonoscopy. The investigators concluded that receipt of initial surveillance colonoscopy remained low, and that there were acute disparities between Black and NHW patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS013853.
Citation: Sanchez JI, Shankaran V, Unger JM .
Inequitable access to surveillance colonoscopy among Medicare beneficiaries with surgically resected colorectal cancer.
Cancer 2021 Feb;127(3):412-21. doi: 10.1002/cncr.33262..
Keywords: Colonoscopy, Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Cancer, Access to Care, Screening, Prevention, Disparities, Medicare
Fraiman YS, Wojcik MH
The influence of social determinants of health on the genetic diagnostic odyssey: who remains undiagnosed, why, and to what effect?
This review article synthesizes the available evidence regarding population disparities in genetic testing for pediatric rare disease diagnosis and identifies gaps in care. The influence of social determinants of health is known, but this study’s goal is to examine the prevalence and nature of disparities in diagnostic testing. It synthesizes the available evidence regarding disparities, defining the need for further, prospective studies.
AHRQ-funded; HS000063.
Citation: Fraiman YS, Wojcik MH .
The influence of social determinants of health on the genetic diagnostic odyssey: who remains undiagnosed, why, and to what effect?
Pediatr Res 2021 Jan;89(2):295-300. doi: 10.1038/s41390-020-01151-5..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Social Determinants of Health, Genetics, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Screening, Disparities
Nelson HD, Cantor A, Wagner J
Effectiveness of patient navigation to increase cancer screening in populations adversely affected by health disparities: a meta-analysis.
This study evaluated the effectiveness of patient navigation to increase screening for colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer in populations adversely affected by health care disparities. Two of the investigators independently abstracted study data and assessed study quality and applicability using criteria adapted from the USPSTF. Findings indicated that, in populations adversely affected by disparities, colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer screening rates were higher in patients provided navigation services.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500009I.
Citation: Nelson HD, Cantor A, Wagner J .
Effectiveness of patient navigation to increase cancer screening in populations adversely affected by health disparities: a meta-analysis.
J Gen Intern Med 2020 Jul 22;35(10):3026-35. doi: 10.1007/s11606-020-06020-9..
Keywords: Cancer, Disparities, Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Screening, Prevention, Women, Health Promotion
Klawetter S, McNitt C, Hoffman JA
Perinatal depression in low-income women: a literature review and innovative screening approach.
This paper is a literature review of perinatal depression prevalence, consequences, and screening among low-income women and women of color. The Warm Connections program has an innovative perinatal depression screening protocol and was used with WIC participants. The literature showed mixed findings of perinatal prevalence among low-income women and women of color. There were lower perinatal depression rates in the Warm Connections program in studies using less specific perinatal depression screening instruments with similar samples.
AHRQ-funded; HS026370.
Citation: Klawetter S, McNitt C, Hoffman JA .
Perinatal depression in low-income women: a literature review and innovative screening approach.
Curr Psychiatry Rep 2020 Jan 7;22(1):1. doi: 10.1007/s11920-019-1126-9.
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Keywords: Depression, Pregnancy, Women, Low-Income, Social Determinants of Health, Screening, Behavioral Health, Maternal Care, Disparities, Diagnostic Safety and Quality
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
Mobley LR, Kuo TM, Zhou M
What happened to disparities in CRC screening among FFS Medicare enrollees following Medicare modernization?
This study examined the effects of the change in policy for colorectal screening that was implemented in 2006 for FFS Medicare beneficiaries. This new policy eliminated copayments for colonoscopies or sigmoidoscopies. Disparities in screening by race (Blacks, Asians and Hispanics relative to Whites), and gender (Males relative to Females). The time periods 2001-2005 and 2006-2009 were compared and while there was some improvement in screening rates for minorities and women, the progress was unevenly distributed across the USA.
AHRQ-funded; HS021752.
Citation: Mobley LR, Kuo TM, Zhou M .
What happened to disparities in CRC screening among FFS Medicare enrollees following Medicare modernization?
J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2019 Apr;6(2):273-91. doi: 10.1007/s40615-018-0522-x..
Keywords: Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Colonoscopy, Disparities, Medicare, Screening
Wingood GM, Lambert D, Renfro T
A multilevel intervention with African American churches to enhance adoption of point-of-care HIV and diabetes testing, 2014-2018.
This article describes a multilevel intervention to enhance the adoption of point-of-care HIV and diabetes testing at church health fairs in Atlanta, GA. Church leaders viewed a video and subsequently conducted social activities that support testing; a third of the churches involved hosted HIV and diabetes health fairs and resulted in an increase in attendees receiving HIV or diabetes testing. The authors conclude that this implementation science approach could reduce HIV and diabetes disparities among African Americans.
AHRQ-funded; HS022059.
Citation: Wingood GM, Lambert D, Renfro T .
A multilevel intervention with African American churches to enhance adoption of point-of-care HIV and diabetes testing, 2014-2018.
Am J Public Health 2019 Feb;109(S2):S141-s44. doi: 10.2105/ajph.2019.304990..
Keywords: Diabetes, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Prevention, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Disparities, Screening
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
Rauscher GH, Dabbous F, Dolecek TA
Absence of an anticipated racial disparity in interval breast cancer within a large health care organization.
The researchers sought to estimate the extent of an anticipated racial disparity in interval breast cancer (IBC) within a single, large health care organization. Contrary to expectation, in patient-adjusted models, there was no IBC racial disparity. The sorting of patients by race across facilities appears to have mitigated an otherwise anticipated disparity in IBC.
AHRQ-funded; HS018366.
Citation: Rauscher GH, Dabbous F, Dolecek TA .
Absence of an anticipated racial disparity in interval breast cancer within a large health care organization.
Ann Epidemiol 2017 Oct;27(10):654-58. doi: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2017.09.002.
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Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Women, Screening, Screening, Imaging
Tung EL, Baig AA, Huang ES
Racial and ethnic disparities in diabetes screening between asian americans and other adults: BRFSS 2012-2014.
The researchers assessed racial and ethnic disparities in diabetes screening between Asian Americans and other adults. They found that Asian Americans were the least likely racial and ethnic group to receive recommended diabetes screening. Overall, Asian Americans had 34 percent lower adjusted odds of receiving recommended diabetes screening compared to non-Hispanic whites.
AHRQ-funded; HS000078.
Citation: Tung EL, Baig AA, Huang ES .
Racial and ethnic disparities in diabetes screening between asian americans and other adults: BRFSS 2012-2014.
J Gen Intern Med 2017 Apr;32(4):423-29. doi: 10.1007/s11606-016-3913-x.
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Keywords: Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Diabetes, Screening, Disparities, Prevention
Mortel M, Rauscher GH, Murphy AM
Racial and ethnic disparity in symptomatic breast cancer awareness despite a recent screen: the role of tumor biology and mammography facility characteristics.
In a racially and ethnically diverse sample of recently diagnosed urban patients with breast cancer, the researchers examined associations of patient, tumor biology, and mammography facility characteristics on the probability of symptomatic discovery of their breast cancer despite a recent prior screening mammogram. They concluded that facility resources and tumor aggressiveness explain much of the racial/ethnic disparity in symptomatic breast cancer among recently screened patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS018366.
Citation: Mortel M, Rauscher GH, Murphy AM .
Racial and ethnic disparity in symptomatic breast cancer awareness despite a recent screen: the role of tumor biology and mammography facility characteristics.
Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2015 Oct;24(10):1599-606. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-15-0305.
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Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Disparities, Women, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Screening, Prevention
Berkowitz SA, Percac-Lima S, Ashburner JM
Building equity improvement into quality improvement: reducing socioeconomic disparities in colorectal cancer screening as part of population health management.
The aim of this study was to determine if implementation of a system-wide screening intervention could reduce disparities in the setting of improved overall screening rates. It found that a multifaceted population management intervention sensitive to the needs of vulnerable patients modestly narrowed disparities in colorectal cancer screening, while also increasing overall screening rates.
AHRQ-funded; HS018161.
Citation: Berkowitz SA, Percac-Lima S, Ashburner JM .
Building equity improvement into quality improvement: reducing socioeconomic disparities in colorectal cancer screening as part of population health management.
J Gen Intern Med 2015 Jul;30(7):942-9. doi: 10.1007/s11606-015-3227-4..
Keywords: Disparities, Screening, Social Determinants of Health, Colonoscopy
Wheeler SB, Kuo TM, Goyal RK
Regional variation in colorectal cancer testing and geographic availability of care in a publicly insured population.
The researchers examined colorectal cancer (CRC) testing across regions of North Carolina by using population-based Medicare and Medicaid claims data from disabled individuals who turned 50 years of age during 2003-2008. They found that fewer than 50% of eligible individuals had evidence of CRC testing; men, African-Americans, Medicaid beneficiaries, and those living furthest away from endoscopy facilities had significantly lower odds of CRC testing, with significant regional variation.
AHRQ-funded; HS019468.
Citation: Wheeler SB, Kuo TM, Goyal RK .
Regional variation in colorectal cancer testing and geographic availability of care in a publicly insured population.
Health Place 2014 Sep;29:114-23. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2014.07.001.
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Keywords: Access to Care, Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Disparities, Screening, Social Determinants of Health
Kenik J, Jean-Jacques M, Feinglass J
Explaining racial and ethnic disparities in cholesterol screening.
This study examining the impact of low socioeconomic status, access to care, and language on racial and ethnic disparities in cholesterol screening found that these factors explained most of those disparities. After adjusting for these factors, disparities between whites and Blacks and Hispanics but not Asians and Pacific Islanders were eliminated.
AHRQ-funded; HS021141
Citation: Kenik J, Jean-Jacques M, Feinglass J .
Explaining racial and ethnic disparities in cholesterol screening.
Prev Med. 2014 Aug;65:65-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2014.04.026..
Keywords: Social Determinants of Health, Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Screening, Access to Care
Yaghjyan L, Wolin K, Chang SH
Racial disparities in healthy behaviors and cancer screening among breast cancer survivors and women without cancer: National Health Interview Survey 2005.
This study aimed to compare healthy behaviors and cancer screening practices among breast cancer survivors and respondents without cancer separately in Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic women. It found that most differences were suggestive and do not differ by race.
AHRQ-funded; HS022330.
Citation: Yaghjyan L, Wolin K, Chang SH .
Racial disparities in healthy behaviors and cancer screening among breast cancer survivors and women without cancer: National Health Interview Survey 2005.
Cancer Causes Control. 2014 May;25(5):605-14. doi: 10.1007/s10552-014-0365-7..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Women, Disparities, Screening
Percac-Lima S, Ashburner JM, Bond B
Decreasing disparities in breast cancer screening in refugee women using culturally tailored patient navigation.
The goal of this research was to evaluate whether a patient navigator (PN) program for refugee women decreases disparities in breast cancer screening. Results showed that linguistically and culturally tailored PN decreased disparities over time in breast cancer screening among female refugees from Somalia, the Middle East, and Bosnia.
AHRQ-funded; HS018161.
Citation: Percac-Lima S, Ashburner JM, Bond B .
Decreasing disparities in breast cancer screening in refugee women using culturally tailored patient navigation.
J Gen Intern Med 2013 Nov;28(11):1463-8. doi: 10.1007/s11606-013-2491-4.
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Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cultural Competence, Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Screening