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AHRQ Research Studies Date
Topics
- Access to Care (7)
- Ambulatory Care and Surgery (1)
- Behavioral Health (7)
- Cardiovascular Conditions (2)
- Children/Adolescents (3)
- Chronic Conditions (1)
- Clinician-Patient Communication (1)
- Communication (1)
- COVID-19 (1)
- Cultural Competence (1)
- Dental and Oral Health (1)
- Disabilities (1)
- (-) Disparities (22)
- Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) (1)
- Healthcare Costs (1)
- Healthcare Delivery (2)
- Healthcare Utilization (3)
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- Heart Disease and Health (1)
- (-) Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) (22)
- Medicare (1)
- Medication (2)
- Obesity (1)
- Opioids (1)
- Patient-Centered Healthcare (2)
- Policy (2)
- Practice Patterns (1)
- Prevention (2)
- Primary Care (2)
- Primary Care: Models of Care (1)
- Racial and Ethnic Minorities (15)
- Risk (2)
- Social Determinants of Health (3)
- Uninsured (1)
- Vulnerable Populations (1)
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 22 of 22 Research Studies DisplayedOlfson M, Zuvekas SH, McClellan C
AHRQ Author: Zuvekas SH, McClellan C
Racial-ethnic disparities in outpatient mental health care in the United States.
Using data from the 2018-19 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, researchers compared national rates and patterns of use for outpatient mental health care among Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, and non-Hispanic White individuals. Analyses focused on individuals using psychotropic medications, psychotherapy, or both, and receipt of minimally adequate mental health care. The results showed that the rate of outpatient mental health service use was more than twice as high for White individuals, and that Black and Hispanic patients were significantly less likely to receive psychotropic medications; Black and Hispanic patients were more likely to receive psychotherapy. No significant differences were found in patients who received minimally adequate treatment for depression, anxiety, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, or disruptive behavior disorders. The authors concluded that achieving racial-ethnic equity will require dedicated efforts to promote greater mental health service access for Black and Hispanic persons in need.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Olfson M, Zuvekas SH, McClellan C .
Racial-ethnic disparities in outpatient mental health care in the United States.
Psychiatr Serv 2023 Jul; 74(7):674-83. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.20220365..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Disparities, Behavioral Health, Ambulatory Care and Surgery
Jacobs PD, Abdus S
AHRQ Author: Jacobs PD, Abdus S
Changes in preventive service use by race and ethnicity after Medicare eligibility in the United States.
Researchers examined whether widespread eligibility for Medicare at age 65 narrows disparate preventive service use by race and ethnicity. Using MEPS data and examining six preventive services, they found that, for non-Hispanic Black adults, preventive service use increased after age 65. Further, for all four preventive health measures that were lower for Hispanic adults compared with non-Hispanic White adults prior to age 65, service use was indistinguishable between these groups after reaching the Medicare eligibility age. They concluded that Medicare eligibility appeared to reduce most racial and ethnic disparities in preventive service use.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Jacobs PD, Abdus S .
Changes in preventive service use by race and ethnicity after Medicare eligibility in the United States.
Prev Med 2022 Apr;157:106996. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2022.106996..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Medicare, Prevention, Access to Care, Disparities, Health Insurance
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
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
Selden TM, Berdahl TA
AHRQ Author: Selden TM, Berdahl TA
COVID-19 and racial/ethnic disparities in health risk, employment, and household composition.
In this study, the investigators used data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey to explore potential explanations for racial-ethnic disparities in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hospitalizations and mortality. The authors found that black adults in every age group were more likely than whites to have health risks associated with severe COVID-19 illness. However, whites were older on average than blacks.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Selden TM, Berdahl TA .
COVID-19 and racial/ethnic disparities in health risk, employment, and household composition.
Health Aff 2020 Sep;39(9):1624-32. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2020.00897..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), COVID-19, Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Risk
Biener AI, Zuvekas SH
AHRQ Author: Zuvekas SH
Do racial and ethnic disparities in mental health treatment vary with underlying mental health?
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Biener AI, Zuvekas SH .
Do racial and ethnic disparities in mental health treatment vary with underlying mental health?
Med Care Res Rev 2021 Aug;78(4):392-403. doi: 10.1177/1077558720903589..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Behavioral Health, Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Access to Care
Ngo-Metzger Q, Zuvekas S, Shafer P
AHRQ Author: Ngo-Metzger Q, Zuvekas S, Shafer P, Tracer H, Borsky AE, Bierman AS
Ngo-Metzger Q, Zuvekas S, Shafer P, Tracer H, Borsky AE, Bierman AS. Statin use in the U.S. for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease remains suboptimal.
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) remains the leading cause of mortality in the United States. The purpose of this study was to examine the rates of statin use for secondary prevention of ASCVD events in the United States over the last decade and determine whether disparities in the treatment of ASCVD still persist among women and racial/ethnic minorities.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Ngo-Metzger Q, Zuvekas S, Shafer P .
Ngo-Metzger Q, Zuvekas S, Shafer P, Tracer H, Borsky AE, Bierman AS. Statin use in the U.S. for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease remains suboptimal.
J Am Board Fam Med 2019 Nov-Dec;32(6):807-17. doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2019.06.180313..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Cardiovascular Conditions, Medication, Healthcare Utilization, Prevention, Heart Disease and Health, Disparities
Berdahl TA, Kirby JB
AHRQ Author: Berdahl TA, Kirby JB
Patient-provider communication disparities by limited English proficiency (LEP): trends from the US Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, 2006-2015.
The purpose of this study was to describe trends in patient-provider communication by limited English proficiency (LEP) from 2006 to 2015. The investigators concluded that although patient-provider communication among LEP individuals improved since 2010, linguistic disparities persist and constitute a formidable challenge to achieving healthcare equity, a long-standing US policy goal.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Berdahl TA, Kirby JB .
Patient-provider communication disparities by limited English proficiency (LEP): trends from the US Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, 2006-2015.
J Gen Intern Med 2019 Aug;34(8). doi: 10.1007/s11606-018-4757-3..
Keywords: Clinician-Patient Communication, Communication, Cultural Competence, Disparities, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)
Biener AI, Zuvekas SH
AHRQ Author: Zuvekas SH
Do racial and ethnic disparities in health care use vary with health?
Researchers used Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data from 2010-2014 to evaluate health care use between black-white and Hispanic-white adults. They found that there was the widest disparity in health care use in adults in excellent health between Hispanics and whites but the opposite was true for blacks and whites. Differences are attributed to health insurance coverage and access to health care overall.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Biener AI, Zuvekas SH .
Do racial and ethnic disparities in health care use vary with health?
Health Serv Res 2019 Feb;54(1):64-74. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.13087..
Keywords: Access to Care, Disparities, Healthcare Utilization, Health Insurance, Health Status, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Perez Jolles M, Thomas KC
Disparities in self-reported access to patient-centered medical home care for children with special health care needs.
The purpose of this study was to examine variation in caregiver service experience concordant with care in patient-centered medical home (PCMH) over time and by the characteristics of separate groups of children with special health care needs (CSHCNs). Researchers used 2003-2012 Medical Expenditures Panel Survey data for CSHCNs for cross-sectional pooled data analysis. Their conclusions suggest that disparities remain among high-need CSHCNs. Future research that focuses on a better understanding of how clinical settings tailor this care model, particularly to provide increased access and patient-centered care, is recommended.
AHRQ-funded; HS000032.
Citation: Perez Jolles M, Thomas KC .
Disparities in self-reported access to patient-centered medical home care for children with special health care needs.
Med Care 2018 Oct;56(10):840-46. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000000978..
Keywords: Access to Care, Children/Adolescents, Disabilities, Disparities, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Patient-Centered Healthcare, Vulnerable Populations
Jones AL, Cochran SD, Leibowitz A
Racial, ethnic, and nativity differences in mental health visits to primary care and specialty mental health providers: analysis of the Medical Expenditures Panel Survey, 2010-2015.
The researchers sought to guide post-ACA efforts to address mental health service disparities, by using a nationally representative sample to characterize baseline race-, ethnicity-, and nativity-associated differences in mental health services in the context of primary care. They found that all racial/ethnic groups were less likely than non-Latino Whites to have any primary care (PC) visit. Their conclusion was that racial-, ethnic-, and nativity-associated disparities persist in PC provided mental health services.
AHRQ-funded; HS021721.
Citation: Jones AL, Cochran SD, Leibowitz A .
Racial, ethnic, and nativity differences in mental health visits to primary care and specialty mental health providers: analysis of the Medical Expenditures Panel Survey, 2010-2015.
Healthcare 2018 Mar 22;6(2). doi: 10.3390/healthcare6020029.
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Keywords: Disparities, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Behavioral Health, Primary Care, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Valero-Elizondo J, Hong JC, Spatz ES
Persistent socioeconomic disparities in cardiovascular risk factors and health in the United States: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey 2002-2013.
This study aimed to describe the trends in prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs) among US adults by SES from 2002 to 2013. It found that the proportion of individuals with obesity, diabetes and hypertension increased overall, with low-income groups representing a higher prevalence for each CRF. Of note, physical inactivity had the highest prevalence increase, with the "lowest-income" group observing a relative percent increase of 71.1 percent.
AHRQ-funded; HS023000.
Citation: Valero-Elizondo J, Hong JC, Spatz ES .
Persistent socioeconomic disparities in cardiovascular risk factors and health in the United States: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey 2002-2013.
Atherosclerosis 2018 Feb;269:301-05. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2017.12.014.
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Keywords: Disparities, Cardiovascular Conditions, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Risk, Social Determinants of Health
Pylypchuk Y, Kirby JB
AHRQ Author: Kirby JB
The role of marriage in explaining racial and ethnic disparities in access to health care for men in the US.
The researchers investigated the association between marriage and access to health care among men, and estimate the extent to which racial and ethnic differences in both the returns to marriage and marital rates explain differences in access and preventive service use. They found that marriage accounts for up to 24 percent of racial and ethnic differences in access and preventive use.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Pylypchuk Y, Kirby JB .
The role of marriage in explaining racial and ethnic disparities in access to health care for men in the US.
Review of Economics of the Household 2017 Sep;15(3):807-32..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Access to Care
Cook BL, Zuvekas SH, Chen J
AHRQ Author: Zuvekas SH
Assessing the individual, neighborhood, and policy predictors of disparities in mental health care.
This study assessed individual- and area-level predictors of racial/ethnic disparities in mental health care episodes for adults with psychiatric illness. It found that racial/ethnic disparities arise because minorities are more likely to live in neighborhoods where treatment initiation is low, rather than because of a differential influence of neighborhood disadvantage on treatment initiation for minorities compared with whites.
AHRQ-authored; AHRQ-funded; HS021486.
Citation: Cook BL, Zuvekas SH, Chen J .
Assessing the individual, neighborhood, and policy predictors of disparities in mental health care.
Med Care Res Rev 2017 Aug;74(4):404-30. doi: 10.1177/1077558716646898.
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Keywords: Disparities, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Behavioral Health, Policy, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Novak P, Williams-Parry KF, Chen J
AHRQ Author: Novak P
Racial and ethnic disparities among the remaining uninsured young adults with behavioral health disorders after the ACA expansion of dependent coverage.
The objective of this study is to explore the population characteristics of the remaining uninsured individuals with and without behavioral health disorders (BHDs) and to examine whether the factors that contribute to racial and ethnic disparities in the likelihood of being uninsured were different after ACA. The major factor associated with the ethnic disparity among those with BHDs was the immigrant status of Latinos, and the major factor associated with racial disparity was geographic location.
AHRQ-authored; AHRQ-funded; HS022135.
Citation: Novak P, Williams-Parry KF, Chen J .
Racial and ethnic disparities among the remaining uninsured young adults with behavioral health disorders after the ACA expansion of dependent coverage.
J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2017 Aug;4(4):607-14. doi: 10.1007/s40615-016-0264-6.
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Keywords: Behavioral Health, Disparities, Policy, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Uninsured
Chang SH, Yu YC, Carlsson NP
Racial disparity in life expectancies and life years lost associated with multiple obesity-related chronic conditions.
This study investigated racial disparity in life expectancies (LEs) and life years lost associated with multiple obesity-related chronic conditions. It found that black individuals had higher risks of developing diabetes, hypertension, and stroke. This disparity in LE between white and black participants was largest in men age 40 to 49 with at least stroke: black men lived 3.12 years shorter than white men.
AHRQ-funded; HS022330.
Citation: Chang SH, Yu YC, Carlsson NP .
Racial disparity in life expectancies and life years lost associated with multiple obesity-related chronic conditions.
Obesity 2017 May;25(5):950-57. doi: 10.1002/oby.21822.
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Keywords: Chronic Conditions, Disparities, Health Status, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Obesity, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Blosnich JR, Hammer J, Yu L
Health care use, health behaviors, and medical conditions among individuals in same-sex and opposite-sex partnerships: a cross-sectional observational analysis of the Medical Expenditures Panel Survey (MEPS), 2003-2011.
Thsi study's objective was to examine associations between sexual minority status and medical conditions. The researchers used MEPS data to determine measures of health risk, health services utilization, and the presence of 15 medical conditions. They found that individuals in same-sex partnerships had 67% increased odds of past-year emergency department utilization and 51% greater odds of three or more physician visits in the last year compared with opposite-sex partnered individuals.
AHRQ-funded; HS022989.
Citation: Blosnich JR, Hammer J, Yu L .
Health care use, health behaviors, and medical conditions among individuals in same-sex and opposite-sex partnerships: a cross-sectional observational analysis of the Medical Expenditures Panel Survey (MEPS), 2003-2011.
Med Care 2016 Jun;54(6):547-54. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000000529.
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Keywords: Healthcare Delivery, Disparities, Healthcare Utilization, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)
Abdus S, Mistry KB, Selden TM
AHRQ Author: Mistry KB, Selden TM
Racial and ethnic disparities in services and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
The researchers examined pre-reform patterns in insurance coverage, access to care, and preventive services use by race/ethnicity in adults targeted by the coverage expansions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). They found that minorities were disproportionately represented among those targeted by the coverage provisions of the ACA.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Abdus S, Mistry KB, Selden TM .
Racial and ethnic disparities in services and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Am J Public Health 2015 Nov;105(Suppl 5):S668-75. doi: 10.2105/ajph.2015.302892..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Health Insurance, Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Access to Care
Horner-Johnson W, Dobbertin K, Beilstein-Wedel E
Disparities in dental care associated with disability and race and ethnicity.
The purpose of this study was to determine how the combination of disability and race and ethnicity is associated with dental examinations, delays in receiving needed care, and inability to obtain needed care among noninstitutionalized working-age adults in the United States. It found that, compared with non-Hispanic whites, other racial and ethnic groups were less likely to receive annual dental examinations.
AHRQ-funded; HS022981.
Citation: Horner-Johnson W, Dobbertin K, Beilstein-Wedel E .
Disparities in dental care associated with disability and race and ethnicity.
J Am Dent Assoc 2015 Jun;146(6):366-74. doi: 10.1016/j.adaj.2015.01.024..
Keywords: Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Dental and Oral Health, Disparities
Cook BL, Liu Z, Lessios AS
The costs and benefits of reducing racial-ethnic disparities in mental health care.
The investigators examined whether reducing racial-ethnic disparities in mental health care offsets costs of care. They found that, for blacks and Latinos, the potential savings from eliminating disparities in inpatient general medical expenditures are substantial, as much as $1 billion nationwide, suggesting that financial and equity considerations can be aligned when planning disparity reduction programs.
AHRQ-funded; HS021486.
Citation: Cook BL, Liu Z, Lessios AS .
The costs and benefits of reducing racial-ethnic disparities in mental health care.
Psychiatr Serv 2015 Apr;66(4):389-96. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.201400070.
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Keywords: Disparities, Healthcare Costs, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Behavioral Health
Cook BL, Zuvekas SH, Carson N
AHRQ Author: Zuvekas SH
Assessing racial/ethnic disparities in treatment across episodes of mental health care.
The authors investigated disparities in mental health care episodes, aligning their analyses with decisions to start or drop treatment, and choices made during treatment. Using MEPS data, they found that, compared with whites, blacks and Latinos had less initiation and adequacy of care. Black and Latino episodes were shorter and had fewer psychotropic drug fills; black episodes had a greater proportion of specialist visits and Latino episodes had a greater proportion of primary care physician visits. Blacks were more likely to have an episode with acute psychiatric care.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Cook BL, Zuvekas SH, Carson N .
Assessing racial/ethnic disparities in treatment across episodes of mental health care.
Health Serv Res 2014 Feb;49(1):206-29. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.12095.
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Keywords: Disparities, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Behavioral Health, Practice Patterns, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Berdahl TA, Friedman BS, McCormick MC
AHRQ Author: Berdahl TA, Friedman BS
Annual report on health care for children and youth in the United States: trends in racial/ethnic, income, and insurance disparities over time, 2002-2009.
Using MEPS and HCUP data, the authors examined trends in children's health access, utilization, and expenditures over time by race/ethnicity, income, and insurance status/expected payer. They found that disparities by race/ethnicity and income persist in access to and use of care, with Hispanic children experiencing progress in a number of measures, while black children did not.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Berdahl TA, Friedman BS, McCormick MC .
Annual report on health care for children and youth in the United States: trends in racial/ethnic, income, and insurance disparities over time, 2002-2009.
Acad Pediatr 2013 May-Jun;13(3):191-203. doi: 10.1016/j.acap.2013.02.003.
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Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Disparities, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Social Determinants of Health