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 (14)
- Cancer (7)
- Cancer: Breast Cancer (4)
- Cancer: Colorectal Cancer (5)
- Case Study (1)
- Chronic Conditions (1)
- Colonoscopy (2)
- COVID-19 (1)
- Diabetes (2)
- Disparities (4)
- Eye Disease and Health (1)
- Healthcare Costs (1)
- Healthcare Utilization (1)
- Health Insurance (1)
- Health Systems (1)
- Imaging (3)
- Low-Income (1)
- Maternal Care (1)
- Medicaid (3)
- Medicare (2)
- Patient-Centered Healthcare (1)
- Policy (2)
- Pregnancy (1)
- Prevention (5)
- Racial and Ethnic Minorities (2)
- Rural Health (3)
- (-) Screening (14)
- Social Determinants of Health (4)
- Vulnerable Populations (2)
- Women (5)
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 14 of 14 Research Studies DisplayedLock 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
Schwartz HEM, Abel MK, Lin JA, et al. HEM, Abel MK, Lin JA
Barriers to colorectal cancer screening and surveillance in homeless patients: a case report and policy recommendations.
Researchers described the barriers encountered by a homeless patient with a history of colorectal cancer who was lost to follow up and presented 11 years later with a new primary colon cancer. They provided policy solutions to increase the use of primary and secondary screening, including essential private bathroom access for colonoscopy preparation in patients who had a positive screening or who require surveillance after diagnosis and treatment. They concluded that increasing early detection and treatment may be cost-effective and could reduce disparities in morbidity and mortality in homeless patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS024532.
Citation: Schwartz HEM, Abel MK, Lin JA, et al. HEM, Abel MK, Lin JA .
Barriers to colorectal cancer screening and surveillance in homeless patients: a case report and policy recommendations.
Ann Surg Open 2022 Sep;3(3):e183. doi: 10.1097/as9.0000000000000183..
Keywords: Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Colonoscopy, Vulnerable Populations, Screening, Access to Care, Case Study
Ellison J, Griffith K, Thursby M
The impact of driving time to family planning facilities on preventive service use in Ohio.
This study examined the impact of driving time to family planning facilities for preventive service use in Ohio due to newly enacted restrictions in public funding for organizations that provide or refer patients to abortion care, often resulting in clinic closures. Data from the 2010 to 2015 Ohio Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System was assessed for female respondents aged 18-45 years with household incomes <$50,000. Clinic locations were combined with restricted-access survey ZIP codes to compute driving times to the nearest family planning clinic. Each additional 10 minutes of driving time was associated with an 8.9 percentage point increase in the likelihood of avoided care owing to cost, a 10.4 percentage point decrease in the likelihood of a mammogram during the past 12 months, and a 12.5 percentage point decrease in the likelihood of ever receiving a clinical breast examination. Results were similar for driving distance increases.
AHRQ-funded; HS026395.
Citation: Ellison J, Griffith K, Thursby M .
The impact of driving time to family planning facilities on preventive service use in Ohio.
Am J Prev Med 2021 Apr;60(4):542-45. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2020.11.009..
Keywords: Access to Care, Women, Prevention, Screening
Miglioretti DL, Bissell MCS, Kerlikowske K
Assessment of a risk-based approach for triaging mammography examinations during periods of reduced capacity.
Breast cancer screening, surveillance, and diagnostic imaging services were profoundly limited during the initial phase of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The objective of this population-based cohort study was to develop a risk-based strategy for triaging mammograms during periods of decreased capacity. The investigators found that clinical indication and individual risk factors were associated with cancer detection and suggest these may be useful for prioritizing mammography in times and settings of decreased capacity.
AHRQ-funded; HS018366.
Citation: Miglioretti DL, Bissell MCS, Kerlikowske K .
Assessment of a risk-based approach for triaging mammography examinations during periods of reduced capacity.
JAMA Netw Open 2021 Mar;4(3):e211974. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.1974..
Keywords: Screening, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Women, Imaging, Access to Care, COVID-19
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
Herrick CJ, Keller MR, Trolard AM
Factors associated with postpartum diabetes screening in women with gestational diabetes and Medicaid during pregnancy.
This study’s goal was to understand the factors associated with the receipt of postpartum diabetes screening for women with gestational diabetes in a state without Medicaid expansion. Findings showed that prenatal certified diabetes education and access to public transportation were associated with increased screening, the total number of prenatal visits, the use of diabetes medication during pregnancy, and a pregnancy-specific comorbidity index that incorporated age.
AHRQ-funded; HS019455.
Citation: Herrick CJ, Keller MR, Trolard AM .
Factors associated with postpartum diabetes screening in women with gestational diabetes and Medicaid during pregnancy.
Am J Prev Med 2021 Feb;60(2):222-31. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2020.08.028..
Keywords: Diabetes, Screening, Maternal Care, Pregnancy, Women, Medicaid, Access to Care
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
Hassmiller Lich K, O'Leary MC, Nambiar S
Estimating the impact of insurance expansion on colorectal cancer and related costs in North Carolina: a population-level simulation analysis.
Researchers used microsimulation to estimate the health and financial effects of insurance expansion and reduction scenarios in North Carolina (NC) for colorectal cancer screening (CRC). The full lifetime of a simulated population of residents age-eligible for CRC screening (aged 50-75) during a 5-year period were simulated. Findings indicate that the estimated cost savings--balancing increased CRC screening/testing costs against decreased cancer treatment costs--were approximately $30 M and $970 M for Medicaid expansion and Medicare-for-all scenarios, respectively, compared to status quo. The researchers concluded that insurance expansion will likely improve CRC screening both overall and in underserved populations while saving money, with the largest savings realized by Medicare.
AHRQ-funded; HS022981.
Citation: Hassmiller Lich K, O'Leary MC, Nambiar S .
Estimating the impact of insurance expansion on colorectal cancer and related costs in North Carolina: a population-level simulation analysis.
Prev Med 2019 Dec;129s:105847. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2019.105847..
Keywords: Health Insurance, Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Cancer, Healthcare Costs, Screening, Prevention, Medicaid, Medicare, Policy, Access to Care
Wong MS, Arnold CM, Roberts ET
The relationship between federal housing assistance and uptake of cancer screening among low-income adults.
The primary aim of this study was to examine the relationship between participation in federal housing assistance programs and self-reported cancer screening among low-income adults. The investigators concluded that their results reinforced the need to improve rates of screening and suggested that providing housing assistance, in and of itself, may be insufficient to overcome the multiple access barriers that low-income populations face.
AHRQ-funded; HS000029.
Citation: Wong MS, Arnold CM, Roberts ET .
The relationship between federal housing assistance and uptake of cancer screening among low-income adults.
J Gen Intern Med 2019 Dec;34(12):2714-16. doi: 10.1007/s11606-019-05037-z..
Keywords: Cancer, Screening, Low-Income, Vulnerable Populations, Access to Care, Healthcare Utilization, Social Determinants of Health
O'Leary MC, Lich KH, Gu Y
Colorectal cancer screening in newly insured Medicaid members: a review of concurrent federal and state policies.
The goal of this study was to determine the impact of national and state policies enacted to increase access to Medicaid and to promote colorectal cancer (CRC) screening on newly enrolled, age-eligible Oregon Medicaid beneficiaries. 2010 - 2015 Oregon Medicaid claims data was used to conduct a cohort analysis of enrollees who turned 50 and became age-eligible for CRC screening. Individuals newly enrolled in Medicaid in 2013 or 2014 were more likely to initiate CRC screening than those enrolled by 2010, associated with the timing of policies such as Medicaid expansion and federal matching for preventive services. A primary care visit during the calendar year, one or more chronic conditions, and Hispanic ethnicity were also associated with CRC screening initiation.
AHRQ-funded; HS022981.
Citation: O'Leary MC, Lich KH, Gu Y .
Colorectal cancer screening in newly insured Medicaid members: a review of concurrent federal and state policies.
BMC Health Serv Res 2019 May 9;19(1):298. doi: 10.1186/s12913-019-4113-2..
Keywords: Access to Care, Cancer, Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Medicaid, Policy, Prevention, Screening
Lee SC, Higashi RT, Sanders JM
Effects of program scale-up on time to resolution for patients with abnormal screening mammography results.
Effects of geographic program expansion to rural areas on mammogram screening program outcomes are understudied. The authors of this study sought to determine whether time-to-resolution (TTR) varied significantly by service delivery time period, location, and participant characteristics across 19 North Texas counties.
AHRQ-funded; HS022418.
Citation: Lee SC, Higashi RT, Sanders JM .
Effects of program scale-up on time to resolution for patients with abnormal screening mammography results.
Cancer Causes Control 2018 Oct;29(10):995-1005. doi: 10.1007/s10552-018-1074-4..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Imaging, Screening, Women, Rural Health, Access to Care, Prevention
Inrig SJ, Higashi RT, Tiro JA
Assessing local capacity to expand rural breast cancer screening and patient navigation: an iterative mixed-method tool.
To expand rural breast cancer screening , the researchers proposed a regional hub-and-spoke model, partnering with local providers to expand access across North Texas. Their capacity assessment tool enabled the hub to establish partnerships with county organizations by tailoring support to local capacity and needs.
AHRQ-funded; HS022418.
Citation: Inrig SJ, Higashi RT, Tiro JA .
Assessing local capacity to expand rural breast cancer screening and patient navigation: an iterative mixed-method tool.
Eval Program Plann 2017 Apr;61:113-24. doi: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2016.11.006.
.
.
Keywords: Access to Care, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Rural Health, Screening
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.
.
.
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