Cumulative social disadvantage and health-related quality of life: national health interview survey 2013-2017.

BACKGROUND: Evidence for the association between social determinants of health (SDoH) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is largely based on single SDoH measures, with limited evaluation of cumulative social disadvantage. We examined the association between cumulative social disadvantage and the Health and Activity Limitation Index (HALex). METHODS: Using adult data from the National Health Interview Survey (2013-2017), we created a cumulative disadvantage index by aggregating 47 deprivations across 6 SDoH domains. Respondents were ranked using cumulative SDoH index quartiles (SDoH-Q1 to Q4), with higher quartile groups being more disadvantaged. We used two-part models for continuous HALex scores and logistic regression for poor HALex (< 20th percentile score) to examine HALex differences associated with cumulative disadvantage. Lower HALex scores implied poorer HRQoL performance. RESULTS: The study sample included 156,182 respondents, representing 232.8 million adults in the United States (mean age 46 years; 51.7% women). The mean HALex score was 0.85 and 17.7% had poor HALex. Higher SDoH quartile groups had poorer HALex performance (lower scores and increased prevalence of poor HALex). A unit increase in SDoH index was associated with - 0.010 (95% CI [-0.011, -0.010]) difference in HALex score and 20% higher odds of poor HALex (odds ratio, OR = 1.20; 95% CI [1.19, 1.21]). Relative to SDoH-Q1, SDoH-Q4 was associated with HALex score difference of -0.086 (95% CI [-0.089, -0.083]) and OR = 5.32 (95% CI [4.97, 5.70]) for poor HALex. Despite a higher burden of cumulative social disadvantage, Hispanics had a weaker SDoH-HALex association than their non-Hispanic White counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: Cumulative social disadvantage was associated with poorer HALex performance in an incremental fashion. Innovations to incorporate SDoH-screening tools into clinical decision systems must continue in order to accurately identify socially vulnerable groups in need of both clinical risk mitigation and social support. To maximize health returns, policies can be tailored through community partnerships to address systemic barriers that exist within distinct sociodemographic groups, as well as demographic differences in health perception and healthcare experience.

Habitual sleep duration and its relationship with cardiovascular health, healthcare costs, and resource utilization in a working population.

OBJECTIVE: Little is known about the relationship between habitual sleep duration, cardiovascular health (CVH) and their impact on healthcare costs and resource utilization. We describe the relationship between sleep duration and ideal CVH, and the associated burden of healthcare expenditure and utilization in a large South Florida employee population free from known cardiovascular disease. METHODS: The study used data obtained from a 2014 voluntary Health Risk Assessment among 8629 adult employees of Baptist Health South Florida. Health expenditures and resource utilization information were obtained through medical claims data. Frequencies of the individual and cumulative CVH metrics across sleep duration were computed. Mean and marginal per-capita healthcare expenditures were estimated. RESULTS: The mean age was 43 years, 57% were of Hispanic ethnicity. Persons with 6-8.9hours and ≥9 hours of sleep were significantly more likely to report optimal goals for diet, physical activity, body mass index, and blood pressure when compared to those who slept less than 6 hours. Compared to those who slept less than 6 hours, those sleeping 6-8.9hours and ≥9hours had approximately 2- (odds ratio 2.1, 95% confidence interval: 1.9-3.0) and 3-times (odds ratio 3.0, 95% confidence interval: 1.6-5.6) higher odds of optimal CVH. Both groups with 6 or more hours of sleep had lower total per-capita expenditure (approximately $2000 and $2700 respectively), lower odds of visiting an emergency room, or being hospitalized compared to those who slept < 6 hours. CONCLUSION: Sleeping 6 or more hours was associated with better CVH, lower healthcare expenditures, and reduced healthcare resource utilization.

Cumulative Social Disadvantage and All-Cause Mortality in the United States: Findings from a National Study.

The extent to which cumulative social disadvantage-defined as aggregate social risk resulting from multiple co-occurring adverse social determinants of health (SDOH)-affects the risk of all-cause mortality, independent of demographic and clinical risk factors, is not well understood. The objective of this study was to examine the association between cumulative social disadvantage, measured using a comprehensive 47-factor SDOH framework, and mortality in a nationally representative sample of adults in the United States. The authors conducted secondary analysis of pooled data for 63,540 adult participants of the 2013-2015 National Death Index-linked National Health Interview Survey. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) were reported by quintiles of aggregate SDOH burden, with higher quintiles denoting greater social disadvantage. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the association between cumulative social disadvantage and risk of all-cause mortality. AAMR increased significantly with greater SDOH burden, ranging from 631 per 100,000 person-years (PYs) for participants in SDOH-Q1 to 1490 per 100,000 PYs for those in SDOH-Q5. In regression models adjusted for demographics, being in SDOH-Q5 was associated with 2.5-fold higher risk of mortality, relative to Q1 (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 2.57 [95% confidence interval, CI = 1.94-3.41]); the observed association persisted after adjusting for comorbidities, with over 2-fold increased risk of mortality for SDOH-Q5 versus Q1 (aHR = 2.02 [95% CI = 1.52-2.67]). These findings indicate that cumulative social disadvantage is associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality, independent of demographic and clinical factors. Population level interventions focused on improving individuals' social, economic, and environmental conditions may help reduce the burden of mortality and mitigate persistent disparities.

Unfavorable social determinants of health are associated with higher burden of financial toxicity among patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in the US: findings from the National Health Interview Survey.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is a major cause of financial toxicity, defined as excess financial strain from healthcare, in the US. Identifying factors that put patients at greatest risk can help inform more targeted and cost-effective interventions. Specific social determinants of health (SDOH) such as income are associated with a higher risk of experiencing financial toxicity from healthcare, however, the associations between more comprehensive measures of cumulative social disadvantage and financial toxicity from healthcare are poorly understood. METHODS: Using the National Health Interview Survey (2013-17), we assessed patients with self-reported ASCVD. We identified 34 discrete SDOH items, across 6 domains: economic stability, education, food poverty, neighborhood conditions, social context, and health systems. To capture the cumulative effect of SDOH, an aggregate score was computed as their sum, and divided into quartiles, the highest (quartile 4) containing the most unfavorable scores. Financial toxicity included presence of: difficulty paying medical bills, and/or delayed/foregone care due to cost, and/or cost-related medication non-adherence. RESULTS: Approximately 37% of study participants reported experiencing financial toxicity from healthcare, with a prevalence of 15% among those in SDOH Q1 vs 68% in SDOH Q4. In fully-adjusted regression analyses, individuals in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quartiles of the aggregate SDOH score had 1.90 (95% CI 1.60, 2.26), 3.66 (95% CI 3.11, 4.35), and 8.18 (95% CI 6.83, 9.79) higher odds of reporting any financial toxicity from healthcare, when compared with participants in the 1st quartile. The associations were consistent in age-stratified analyses, and were also present in analyses restricted to non-economic SDOH domains and to 7 upstream SDOH features. CONCLUSIONS: An unfavorable SDOH profile was strongly and independently associated with subjective financial toxicity from healthcare. This analysis provides further evidence to support policies and interventions aimed at screening for prevalent financial toxicity and for high financial toxicity risk among socially vulnerable groups.

The Impact of the Affordable Care Act on Disparities in Utilization of Cardiovascular Preventive Services by Socioeconomic Status.

Disparities in cardiovascular outcomes are persistent in our society. The objective was to track the trends before and after the passage of the Affordable Care Act in socioeconomic status (SES) disparities in utilization of cardiovascular disease (CVD) preventive services among nonelderly adults aged 18-64 years. This study used the National Health Interview Survey (2011-2017) to compare utilization of blood pressure, cholesterol, glycemic screening, and diet and smoking cessation advice over time between groups stratified by SES and race using difference-in-difference analysis. This study also measured the differences over time in specific vulnerable population subgroups (Hispanic, low-income and uninsured vs. White, middle-high-income, and insured). The study population included 176,961 surveyed individuals (mean age 40 [±13] years; 51% female; 67.7% non-Hispanic White) between 2011 and 2017, translating to 194.8 million nonelderly US adults per year. Most individuals were from high-income SES (40.0%), followed by middle-income (28.1%), low-income (13.6%), and lowest income SES (18.3%). The proportion of CVD preventive services increased over all SES categories through the study period. The biggest relative changes were seen among low-income individuals. The difference in blood pressure checks, cholesterol checks, and smoking cessation advise between high- and lowest income groups showed a statistically significant decrease at 5.2%, 4.8%, and 11.2%, respectively, between 2011 and 2017. The findings demonstrate a trend in reduction of CVD preventive care disparities between SES groups. However, a gap still exists, and this study highlights the need for continuous improvement to eliminate SES disparities.

Measures of Financial Hardship From Health Care Expenses Among Families With a Member With Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in the US.

Importance: Patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) face substantial financial burden from health care costs as assessed by many disparate measures. However, evaluation of the concordance of existing measures and the prevalence of financial burden based on these measures is lacking. Objective: To compare subjectively reported and objectively measured financial burden from health care in families of patients with ASCVD. Design Setting and Participants: This cross-sectional study used data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, a nationally representative survey of individuals and families in the US, and included all families with 1 or more members with ASCVD from 2014 to 2018. Analyses were conducted from October 2021 to April 2022. Main Outcomes and Measures: Using accepted definitions, objective financial hardship represented annual out-of-pocket medical expenses exceeding 20% of annual postsubsistence income, and subjective financial hardship represented self-reported problems paying medical bills or paying them over time. Prevalence of financial hardship was identified based on individual definitions and their concordance was assessed. Factors associated with each type of financial hardship were examined using risk-adjusted survey logistic regression. Multivariable logistic regression was used to model the odds of subjective financial hardship vs objective financial hardship across subgroups. The association between measures of financial hardship and self-reported deferral of care was also assessed. Results: Among 10 975 families of patients with ASCVD, representing 22.5 million families nationally (mean [SD] age of index individual, 66 [24] years; estimated 54% men]), 37% experienced either objective or subjective financial hardship. This group included 11% (95% CI, 10%-11%) with objective financial hardship, 21% (95% CI, 20%-22%) with subjective financial hardship, and 5% (95% CI, 5%-6%) with both objective and subjective financial hardship. Mean age was 70 (95% CI, 68-71) years vs 61 (95% CI, 60-62) years for index patients in families reporting objective financial hardship only vs subjective financial hardship only, with no difference in sex (50% [95% CI, 46%-54%] of men vs 49% [95% CI, 47%-52%] of women). In risk-adjusted analyses, among families of patients with ASCVD, patient age of 65 years or older was associated with lower odds of subjective financial hardship than objective financial hardship (odds ratio [OR], 0.39; 95% CI, 0.20-0.76), whereas higher income (OR, 6.08; 95% CI, 3.93-9.42 for an income of >100%-200% of the federal poverty level [FPL] vs ≤100% of the FPL and OR, 20.46; 95% CI, 11.45-36.56 for >200% of FPL vs ≤100% of FPL), public insurance (OR, 6.60; 95% CI, 4.20-10.37), and being uninsured (OR, 5.36; 95% CI, 2.61-10.98) were associated with higher odds of subjective financial hardship than objective financial hardship. Subjective financial hardship alone was associated with significantly higher adjusted odds of self-reporting deferred or forgone care compared with objective financial hardship alone (OR, 2.69; 95% CI, 1.79-4.06). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cross-sectional study of US adults, 2 in 5 families of patients with ASCVD experienced health care-related financial hardship, but a focus on objective or subjective measures alone would have captured only half the burden and not identified those deferring health care. The findings suggest that a comprehensive framework that evaluates both objective and subjective measures is essential to monitor financial consequences of health care.

Subjective Financial Hardship due to Medical Bills Among Patients With Heart Failure in the United States: The 2014-2018 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) poses a substantial economic burden on the United States (US) health care system. In contrast, little is known about the financial challenges faced by patients with HF. In this study, we examined the scope and sociodemographic predictors of subjective financial hardship due to medical bills incurred by patients with HF. METHODS: In the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS; years 2014--2018), a US nationally representative database, we identified all patients who reported having HF. Any subjective financial hardship due to medical bills was assessed based on patients' reporting either themselves or their families (1) having difficulties paying medical bills in the past 12 months, (2) paying bills late or (3) being unable to pay bills at all. Logistic regression was used to evaluate independent predictors of financial hardship among patients with HF. All analyses took into consideration the survey's complex design. RESULTS: A total of 116,563 MEPS participants were included in the analysis, of whom 858 (0.7%) had diagnoses of HF, representing 1.8 million (95% CI 1.6-2.0) patients annually. Overall, 33% (95% CI 29%-38%) reported any financial hardship due to medical bills, and 13.2% were not able to pay bills at all. Age ≤ 65 years and lower educational attainment were independently associated with higher odds of subjective financial hardship due to medical bills. CONCLUSION: Subjective financial hardship is a prevalent issue for patients with HF in the US, particularly those who are younger and have lower educational attainment. There is a need for policies that reduce out-of-pocket costs for the care of HF, an enhanced identification of this phenomenon in the clinical setting, and approaches to help minimize financial toxicity in patients with HF while ensuring optimal quality of care.

Evaluation of Temporal Trends in Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Sleep Duration Among US Adults, 2004-2018.

Importance: Historically marginalized racial and ethnic groups are generally more likely to experience sleep deficiencies. It is unclear how these sleep duration disparities have changed during recent years. Objective: To evaluate 15-year trends in racial and ethnic differences in self-reported sleep duration among adults in the US. Design, Setting, and Participants: This serial cross-sectional study used US population-based National Health Interview Survey data collected from 2004 to 2018. A total of 429 195 noninstitutionalized adults were included in the analysis, which was performed from July 26, 2021, to February 10, 2022. Exposures: Self-reported race, ethnicity, household income, and sex. Main Outcomes and Measures: Temporal trends and racial and ethnic differences in short (<7 hours in 24 hours) and long (>9 hours in 24 hours) sleep duration and racial and ethnic differences in the association between sleep duration and age. Results: The study sample consisted of 429 195 individuals (median [IQR] age, 46 [31-60] years; 51.7% women), of whom 5.1% identified as Asian, 11.8% identified as Black, 14.7% identified as Hispanic or Latino, and 68.5% identified as White. In 2004, the adjusted estimated prevalence of short and long sleep duration were 31.4% and 2.5%, respectively, among Asian individuals; 35.3% and 6.4%, respectively, among Black individuals; 27.0% and 4.6%, respectively, among Hispanic or Latino individuals; and 27.8% and 3.5%, respectively, among White individuals. During the study period, there was a significant increase in short sleep prevalence among Black (6.39 [95% CI, 3.32-9.46] percentage points), Hispanic or Latino (6.61 [95% CI, 4.03-9.20] percentage points), and White (3.22 [95% CI, 2.06-4.38] percentage points) individuals (P < .001 for each), whereas prevalence of long sleep changed significantly only among Hispanic or Latino individuals (-1.42 [95% CI, -2.52 to -0.32] percentage points; P = .01). In 2018, compared with White individuals, short sleep prevalence among Black and Hispanic or Latino individuals was higher by 10.68 (95% CI, 8.12-13.24; P < .001) and 2.44 (95% CI, 0.23-4.65; P = .03) percentage points, respectively, and long sleep prevalence was higher only among Black individuals (1.44 [95% CI, 0.39-2.48] percentage points; P = .007). The short sleep disparities were greatest among women and among those with middle or high household income. In addition, across age groups, Black individuals had a higher short and long sleep duration prevalence compared with White individuals of the same age. Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this cross-sectional study suggest that from 2004 to 2018, the prevalence of short and long sleep duration was persistently higher among Black individuals in the US. The disparities in short sleep duration appear to be highest among women, individuals who had middle or high income, and young or middle-aged adults, which may be associated with health disparities.

Social Determinants of Health Among Non-Elderly Adults With Stroke in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of social determinants of health (SDOH) on prevalence of stroke in non-elderly adults (<65 years of age). METHODS: We used the National Health Interview Survey (2013-2017) database. The study population was stratified into younger (<45 years of age) and middle age (45 to 64 years of age) adults. For each individual, an SDOH aggregate score was calculated representing the cumulative number of individual unfavorable SDOH (present vs absent), identified from 39 subcomponents across five domains (economic stability, neighborhood, community and social context, food, education, and health care system access) and divided into quartiles (quartile 1, most favorable; quartile 4, most unfavorable). Multivariable models tested the association between SDOH score quartiles and stroke. RESULTS: The age-adjusted prevalence of stroke was 1.4% in the study population (n=123,631; 58.2% (n=71,956) in patients <45 years of age). Young adults reported approximately 20% of all strokes. Participants with stroke had unfavorable responses to 36 of 39 SDOH; nearly half (48%) of all strokes were reported by participants in the highest SDOH score quartile. A stepwise increase in age-adjusted stroke prevalence was observed across increasing quartiles of SDOH (first, 0.6%; second, 0.9%; third, 1.4%; and fourth, 2.9%). After accounting for demographics and cardiovascular disease risk factors, participants in the fourth vs first quartile had higher odds of stroke (odds ratio, 2.78; 95% CI, 2.25 to 3.45). CONCLUSION: Nearly half of all non-elderly individuals with stroke have an unfavorable SDOH profile. Standardized assessment of SDOH risk burden may inform targeted strategies to mitigate disparities in stroke burden and outcomes in this population.

Cost-Related Medication Nonadherence in Adults With Diabetes in the United States: The National Health Interview Survey 2013-2018.

OBJECTIVE: Health-related expenditures resulting from diabetes are rising in the U.S. Medication nonadherence is associated with worse health outcomes among adults with diabetes. We sought to examine the extent of reported cost-related medication nonadherence (CRN) in individuals with diabetes in the U.S. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We studied adults age ≥18 years with self-reported diabetes from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) (2013-2018), a U.S. nationally representative survey. Adults reporting skipping doses, taking less medication, or delaying filling a prescription to save money in the past year were considered to have experienced CRN. The weighted prevalence of CRN was estimated overall and by age subgroups (<65 and ≥65 years). Logistic regression was used to identify sociodemographic characteristics independently associated with CRN. RESULTS: Of the 20,326 NHIS participants with diabetes, 17.6% (weighted 2.3 million) of those age <65 years reported CRN, compared with 6.9% (weighted 0.7 million) among those age ≥65 years. Financial hardship from medical bills, lack of insurance, low income, high comorbidity burden, and female sex were independently associated with CRN across age groups. Lack of insurance, duration of diabetes, current smoking, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia were associated with higher odds of reporting CRN among the nonelderly but not among the elderly. Among the elderly, insulin use significantly increased the odds of reporting CRN (odds ratio 1.51; 95% CI 1.18, 1.92). CONCLUSIONS: In the U.S., one in six nonelderly and one in 14 elderly adults with diabetes reported CRN. Removing financial barriers to accessing medications may improve medication adherence among these patients, with the potential to improve their outcomes.

Race, Racism, and Cardiovascular Health: Applying a Social Determinants of Health Framework to Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Cardiovascular Disease.

Health care in the United States has seen many great innovations and successes in the past decades. However, to this day, the color of a person's skin determines-to a considerable degree-his/her prospects of wellness; risk of disease, and death; and the quality of care received. Disparities in cardiovascular disease (CVD)-the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally-are one of the starkest reminders of social injustices, and racial inequities, which continue to plague our society. People of color-including Black, Hispanic, American Indian, Asian, and others-experience varying degrees of social disadvantage that puts these groups at increased risk of CVD and poor disease outcomes, including mortality. Racial/ethnic disparities in CVD, while documented extensively, have not been examined from a broad, upstream, social determinants of health lens. In this review, we apply a comprehensive social determinants of health framework to better understand how structural racism increases individual and cumulative social determinants of health burden for historically underserved racial and ethnic groups, and increases their risk of CVD. We analyze the link between race, racism, and CVD, including major pathways and structural barriers to cardiovascular health, using 5 distinct social determinants of health domains: economic stability; neighborhood and physical environment; education; community and social context; and healthcare system. We conclude with a set of research and policy recommendations to inform future work in the field, and move a step closer to health equity.

Delayed medical care due to transportation barriers among adults with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND: In patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), barriers related to transportation may impair access to care, with potential implications for prognosis. Although few studies have explored transportation barriers among patients with ASCVD, the correlates of delayed care due to transportation barriers have not been examined in this population. We aimed to examine this in U.S. patients with ASCVD using nationally representative data. METHODS: Using data from the 2009-2018 National Health Interview Survey, we estimated the self-reported prevalence of delayed medical care due to transportation barriers among adults with ASCVD, overall and by sociodemographic characteristics. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between various sociodemographic characteristics and delayed care due to transportation barriers. RESULTS: Among adults with ASCVD, 4.5% (95% CI; 4.2, 4.8) or ∼876,000 annually reported delayed care due to transportation barriers. Income (low-income: odds ratio [OR] 4.43, 95% CI [3.04, 6.46]; lowest-income: OR 6.35, 95% CI [4.36, 9.23]) and Medicaid insurance (OR 4.53; 95% CI [3.27, 6.29]) were strongly associated with delayed care due to transportation barriers. Additionally, younger individuals, women, non-Hispanic Black adults, and those from the U.S. South or Midwest, had higher odds of reporting delayed care due to transportation barriers. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 5% of adults with ASCVD experience delayed care due to transportation barriers. Vulnerable groups include young adults, women, low-income people, and those with public/no insurance. Future studies should analyze the feasibility and potential benefits of interventions such as use of telehealth, mobile clinics, and provision of transportation among patients with ASCVD in the U.S.

Shared decision making and patient reported outcomes among adults with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, medical expenditure panel survey 2006-2015.

IMPORTANCE: Shared decision-making (SDM), one of the pillars of patient centered care is strongly encouraged and has been incorporated into the management of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) but the expansion of its use has been limited. OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of SDM on patient-reported health status, measures of quality of care, healthcare resource utilization, and healthcare spending among US adults with ASCVD. METHOD: This is a retrospective cohort study in an ambulatory setting, utilizing the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) 2006-2015. Analysis completed in December 2020. Participants included were adults 18 years and over with a diagnosis of ASCVD. We used the average weighted response to self-administered questionnaire evaluating shared-decision-making process as the exposure variable in the regression model. Outcome measures included inpatient hospitalizations, Emergency Department (ED) visits, statin and aspirin use, self-perception of health, and healthcare expenditure. RESULTS: When compared with individuals reporting poor SDM, those with optimal SDM were more likely to report statin and aspirin use [statin use, Odds Ratio (OR) 1.26 (95% CI, 1.09-1.46)], [aspirin use, 1.25 (1.07-1.45)], more likely to have a positive perception of their health and healthcare related quality of life, and were less likely to visit the ED [OR for ≥ 2 ED visits: 0.81 (0.67-0.99)]. There was no difference between groups in annual total or out of pocket healthcare expenditure. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that effective SDM is associated with better utilization of healthcare resources and patient reported health outcomes. We hope these results could provide useful evidence for expanding the use of SDM in patient-centered care among individuals with ASCVD.

Trends in Differences in Health Status and Health Care Access and Affordability by Race and Ethnicity in the United States, 1999-2018.

IMPORTANCE: The elimination of racial and ethnic differences in health status and health care access is a US goal, but it is unclear whether the country has made progress over the last 2 decades. OBJECTIVE: To determine 20-year trends in the racial and ethnic differences in self-reported measures of health status and health care access and affordability among adults in the US. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Serial cross-sectional study of National Health Interview Survey data, 1999-2018, that included 596 355 adults. EXPOSURES: Self-reported race, ethnicity, and income level. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Rates and racial and ethnic differences in self-reported health status and health care access and affordability. RESULTS: The study included 596 355 adults (mean [SE] age, 46.2 [0.07] years, 51.8% [SE, 0.10] women), of whom 4.7% were Asian, 11.8% were Black, 13.8% were Latino/Hispanic, and 69.7% were White. The estimated percentages of people with low income were 28.2%, 46.1%, 51.5%, and 23.9% among Asian, Black, Latino/Hispanic, and White individuals, respectively. Black individuals with low income had the highest estimated prevalence of poor or fair health status (29.1% [95% CI, 26.5%-31.7%] in 1999 and 24.9% [95% CI, 21.8%-28.3%] in 2018), while White individuals with middle and high income had the lowest (6.4% [95% CI, 5.9%-6.8%] in 1999 and 6.3% [95% CI, 5.8%-6.7%] in 2018). Black individuals had a significantly higher estimated prevalence of poor or fair health status than White individuals in 1999, regardless of income strata (P < .001 for the overall and low-income groups; P = .03 for middle and high-income group). From 1999 to 2018, racial and ethnic gaps in poor or fair health status did not change significantly, with or without income stratification, except for a significant decrease in the difference between White and Black individuals with low income (-6.7 percentage points [95% CI, -11.3 to -2.0]; P = .005); the difference in 2018 was no longer statistically significant (P = .13). Black and White individuals had the highest levels of self-reported functional limitations, which increased significantly among all groups over time. There were significant reductions in the racial and ethnic differences in some self-reported measures of health care access, but not affordability, with and without income stratification. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In a serial cross-sectional survey study of US adults from 1999 to 2018, racial and ethnic differences in self-reported health status, access, and affordability improved in some subgroups, but largely persisted.

Forgone Medical Care Associated With Increased Health Care Costs Among the U.S. Heart Failure Population.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of patients with forgone/delayed care for heart failure (HF) and examine the associated demographic characteristics, health care utilization, and costs. BACKGROUND: HF is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, with health care expenditures projected to increase 3-fold from 2012 to 2030. The proportion of HF patients with forgone/delayed medical care and the association with health care expenditures and utilization remain unknown. METHODS: Data on patients with HF were obtained from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey to assess expenditures and health care utilization in the United States from 2004 to 2015. Patients with HF who reported forgone/delayed care, any missed or delayed medical treatment, were compared with those without care lapses. RESULTS: Overall, 16% of patients with HF reported forgone/delayed care, including 10% among the elderly (aged ≥65 years) and 27% among the nonelderly (aged <65 years). Patients with HF who reported forgone/delayed care had annual health care expenses $8,027 (95% CI: $1,181-$14,872) higher than those who did not. Among the elderly, those reporting forgone/delayed care had more emergency department visits (43% vs 58%; P < 0.05), and had higher annual inpatient costs (+$7,548; 95% CI: $1,109-$13,988) and total health care costs (+$10,581; 95% CI: $1,754-$19,409). Sixty percent of nonelderly and 46% of elderly patients with HF reported deferring care due to financial barriers. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly 1 in 6 patients with HF in the United States reported forgone/delayed medical care, with one-half attributing it to financial reasons, and this was associated with higher overall health care spending.

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease, Cancer, and Financial Toxicity Among Adults in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Financial toxicity (FT) is a well-established side-effect of the high costs associated with cancer care. In recent years, studies have suggested that a significant proportion of those with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) experience FT and its consequences. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare FT for individuals with neither ASCVD nor cancer, ASCVD only, cancer only, and both ASCVD and cancer. METHODS: From the National Health Interview Survey, we identified adults with self-reported ASCVD and/or cancer between 2013 and 2018, stratifying results by nonelderly (age <65 years) and elderly (age ≥65 years). We defined FT if any of the following were present: any difficulty paying medical bills, high financial distress, cost-related medication nonadherence, food insecurity, and/or foregone/delayed care due to cost. RESULTS: The prevalence of FT was higher among those with ASCVD when compared with cancer (54% vs. 41%; p < 0.001). When studying the individual components of FT, in adjusted analyses, those with ASCVD had higher odds of any difficulty paying medical bills (odds ratio [OR]: 1.22; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09 to 1.36), inability to pay bills (OR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.50), cost-related medication nonadherence (OR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.51), food insecurity (OR: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.17 to 1.64), and foregone/delayed care due to cost (OR: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.36). The presence of ≥3 of these factors was significantly higher among those with ASCVD and those with both ASCVD and cancer when compared with those with cancer (23% vs. 30% vs. 13%, respectively; p < 0.001). These results remained similar in the elderly population. CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights that FT is greater among patients with ASCVD compared with those with cancer, with the highest burden among those with both conditions.

Prevalence and predictors of cost-related medication nonadherence in individuals with cardiovascular disease: Results from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey.

Medication nonadherence is highly prevalent among patients with chronic cardiovascular disease. Poor adherence has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Medication cost is a major driver for medication nonadherence. Utilizing data from the 2016 to 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey, we estimated the prevalence of cost-related medication nonadherence (CRMNA) among the overall population and among individuals who reported a history of diabetes, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), or hypertension. We then performed multivariable logistic regression to analyze sociodemographic factors associated with CRMNA. Our study population consisted of 142,577 individuals of whom 24% were older than 65 years, 47% were men, 66% were White, 17% Black, 35% had hypertension, 13% had diabetes mellitus, and 10% had ASCVD. CRMNA was reported in 10% of the overall population, 12% among those with hypertension, 17% among those with diabetes, and 17% among those with ASCVD. Age below 65 years, female gender, unemployment, lower income, lower educational attainment, having at least 1 comorbidity, and living in a state that did not expand Medicaid were independently associated with CRMNA. The prevalence of CRMNA increased with greater number of these high-risk sociodemographic factors. We conclude that the prevalence of CRMNA is 10% among U.S. adults overall and is higher among those with common chronic diseases. Risk factors associated with CRMNA should be addressed in order to improve adherence rates and health outcomes among high-risk individuals.

Social Determinants of Health and Cardiovascular Disease: Current State and Future Directions Towards Healthcare Equity.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We sought to examine the role of social and environmental conditions that determine an individual's behaviors and risk of disease-collectively known as social determinants of health (SDOH)-in shaping cardiovascular (CV) health of the population and giving rise to disparities in risk factors, outcomes, and clinical care for cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of death in the United States (US). RECENT FINDINGS: Traditional CV risk factors have been extensively targeted in existing CVD prevention and management paradigms, often with little attention to SDOH. Limited evidence suggests an association between individual SDOH (e.g., income, education) and CVD. However, inequities in CVD care, risk factors, and outcomes have not been studied using a broad SDOH framework. We examined existing evidence of the association between SDOH-organized into 6 domains, including economic stability, education, food, neighborhood and physical environment, healthcare system, and community and social context-and CVD. Greater social adversity, defined by adverse SDOH, was linked to higher burden of CVD risk factors and poor outcomes, such as stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), coronary heart disease, heart failure, and mortality. Conversely, favorable social conditions had protective effects on CVD. Upstream SDOH interact across domains to produce cumulative downstream effects on CV health, via multiple physiologic and behavioral pathways. SDOH are major drivers of sociodemographic disparities in CVD, with a disproportionate impact on socially disadvantaged populations. Efforts to achieve health equity should take into account the structural, institutional, and environmental barriers to optimum CV health in marginalized populations. In this review, we highlight major knowledge gaps for each SDOH domain and propose a set of actionable recommendations to inform CVD care, ensure equitable distribution of healthcare resources, and reduce observed disparities.

Financial Hardship Among Nonelderly Adults With CKD in the United States.

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE: The burden of financial hardship among individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has not been extensively studied. Therefore, we describe the scope and determinants of financial hardship among a nationally representative sample of adults with CKD. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: Nonelderly adults with CKD from the 2014-2018 National Health Interview Survey. EXPOSURE: Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. OUTCOME: Financial hardship based on medical bills and consequences of financial hardship (high financial distress, food insecurity, cost-related medication nonadherence, delayed/forgone care due to cost). Financial hardship was categorized into 3 levels: no financial hardship, financial hardship but able to pay bills, and unable to pay bills at all. Financial hardship was then modeled in 2 different ways: (1) any financial hardship (regardless of ability to pay) versus no financial hardship and (2) inability to pay bills versus no financial hardship and financial hardship but able to pay bills. ANALYTICAL APPROACH: Nationally representative estimates of financial hardship from medical bills were computed. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the associations of sociodemographic and clinical factors with the outcomes of financial hardship based on medical bills. RESULTS: A total 1,425 individuals, representing approximately 2.1 million Americans, reported a diagnosis of CKD within the past year, of whom 46.9% (95% CI, 43.7%-50.2%) reported experiencing financial hardship from medical bills; 20.9% (95% CI, 18.5%-23.6%) reported inability to pay medical bills at all. Lack of insurance was the strongest determinant of financial hardship in this population (odds ratio, 4.06 [95% CI, 2.18-7.56]). LIMITATIONS: Self-reported nature of CKD diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately half the nonelderly US population with CKD experiences financial hardship from medical bills that is associated strongly with lack of insurance. Evidence-based clinical and policy interventions are needed to address these hardships.