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BACKGROUND: Previous studies on Hispanic thyroid cancer cases show sex disparities and an increased prevalence of large tumor sizes and nodal involvement. Here, we characterized Hispanic thyroid cancer cases in California. METHODS: We identified thyroid cancer cases from 2010 to 2020 using the California Cancer Registry by sex, race/ethnicity, histology, TNM stage, tumor size, lymph node involvement, and Charlson comorbidity score. The age-adjusted incidence rate (AAIR) and age-adjusted mortality rate (AAMR) for all causes of death were calculated. A Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to evaluate the mortality risk from all causes of death by race. RESULTS: Overall, 56,838 thyroid cancer cases were identified, including 29.75% in Hispanics. Hispanics had the highest female-to-male incidence rate ratio (IRR 3.54) and the highest prevalence of T3/T4 tumor size (28.71%), the highest N1 nodal status (32.69%), and the highest AAMR (0.79 per 100,000 people). After adjusting for demographic and tumor covariates, compared to non-Hispanic White people, Hispanic ethnicity, with an HR of 1.22 (95% CI 1.18-1.25, p < 0.0001), remained a significant independent contributor to mortality risk. CONCLUSIONS: Hispanics had the greatest female-to-male IRR ratio, a greater prevalence of advanced disease features at diagnosis, along with the highest AAMR and increased mortality risk despite adjustments for demographic and tumor covariates. Further investigation into other risk factors is needed.
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BACKGROUND: Stomach cancer incidence presents significant racial/ethnic disparities among racial/ethnic minority groups in the United States, particularly among Asian and Hispanic immigrant populations. However, population-based evaluation of disparities by nativity has been scarce because of the lack of nativity-specific population denominators, especially for disaggregated Asian subgroups. Population-based stomach cancer incidence and tumor characteristics by detailed race/ethnicity and nativity were examined. METHODS: Annual age-adjusted incidence rates were calculated by race/ethnicity, sex, and nativity and tumor characteristics, such as stage and anatomic subsite, were evaluated using the 2011-2015 California Cancer Registry data. For Hispanic and Asian populations, nativity-specific population counts were estimated using the US Census and the American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample data. RESULTS: During 2011-2015 in California, 14,198 patients were diagnosed with stomach cancer. Annual age-adjusted incidence rates were higher among foreign-born individuals than their US-born counterparts. The difference was modest among Hispanics (â¼1.3-fold) but larger (â¼2- to 3-fold) among Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Americans. The highest incidence was observed for foreign-born Korean and Japanese Americans (33 and 33 per 100,000 for men; 15 and 12 per 100,000 for women, respectively). The proportion of localized stage disease was highest among foreign-born Korean Americans (44%); a similar proportion was observed among US-born Korean Americans, although numbers were limited. For other Asians and Hispanics, the localized stage proportion was generally lower among foreign-born than US-born individuals and lowest among foreign-born Japanese Americans (23%). CONCLUSIONS: Nativity-specific investigation with disaggregated racial/ethnic groups identified substantial stomach cancer disparities among foreign-born immigrant populations.
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Asiático , Neoplasias Gástricas , Masculino , Humanos , Femenino , Estados Unidos/epidemiología , Etnicidad , Neoplasias Gástricas/epidemiología , Grupos Minoritarios , Hispánicos o Latinos , California/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Having metastatic disease at diagnosis poses the great risk of death among AYAs with cancer from all sociodemographic subgroups. This "landscape" study utilized United States Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program data from 2000−2016 to identify subgroups of AYAs at highest risk for presenting with metastases across twelve cancer sites having a poor-prognosis (5-year survival <50% with metastases). Adjusted odds ratios for risk of metastatic disease presentation were compared for AYAs in aggregate and by sociodemographic subgroup (race/ethnicity, sex, socioeconomic status [SES]). In general, AYAs who were male, racial/ethnic minorities, or low SES were at consistently greatest risk of metastases. Strikingly, having metastatic melanoma was independently associated with multiple AYA sociodemographic subgroups, including males (aOR 3.11 [95% CI 2.64−3.66]), non-Hispanic Blacks (4.04 [2.32−7.04]), Asian Pacific Islanders (2.99 [1.75−5.12]), Hispanics (2.37 [1.85−3.04]), and low SES (2.30 [1.89−2.80]). Non-Hispanic Blacks were more likely to present with metastatic cancer in all sites, except for bone, rhabdomyosarcoma, and stomach. Low SES AYAs are more likely to present with metastatic melanoma, bone tumors, soft tissue sarcomas, breast, cervical, lung, and stomach carcinomas. Building on these results, future cancer-specific studies should investigate the connection between sociodemographic risk factors and biological drivers of metastases. This line of research has potential to inform targeted public health and screening efforts to facilitate risk reduction and earlier detection of these deadly diseases.
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BACKGROUND: Although survival has improved dramatically for most adolescents and young adults (AYA; 15-39 years old) with cancer, it remains poor for those presenting with metastatic disease. To better characterize this subset, we conducted a landscape survival comparison with older adults (40-79 years). METHODS: Using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program data from 2000 to 2016, we examined incident cases of poor-prognosis metastatic cancers (5-year survival < 50%) among AYAs (n = 11,518) and older adults (n = 345,681) and compared cause-specific survival by sociodemographic characteristics (race/ethnicity, sex, and socioeconomic status). Adjusted HRs (aHR) for death from metastatic disease [95% confidence intervals (95% CI)] were compared between AYAs and older adults (Pint). RESULTS: AYAs had significantly better survival than older adults for every cancer site except kidney, where it was equivalent (range of aHRs = 0.91; 95% CI, 0.82-1.02 for kidney cancer to aHR = 0.33; 95% CI, 0.26-0.42 for rhabdomyosarcoma). Compared with their older adult counterparts, greater survival disparities existed for AYAs who were non-Hispanic Black with uterine cancer (aHR = 2.20; 95% CI, 1.25-3.86 versus aHR = 1.40; 95% CI, 1.28-1.54; Pint = 0.049) and kidney cancer (aHR = 1.51; 95% CI, 1.15-1.98 versus aHR = 1.10; 95% CI, 1.03-1.17; Pint = 0.04); non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islanders with ovarian cancer (aHR = 1.47; 95% CI, 1.12-1.93 versus aHR = 0.89; 95% CI, 0.84-0.95; Pint<0.001); and males with colorectal cancer (aHR = 1.21; 95% CI, 1.10-1.32 versus aHR = 1.08; 95% CI, 1.06-1.10; Pint = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: AYAs diagnosed with these metastatic cancers have better survival than older adults, but outcomes remain dismal. IMPACT: Overcoming the impact of metastasis in these cancers is necessary for continuing progress in AYA oncology. Sociodemographic disparities affecting AYAs within kidney, uterine, ovarian, and colorectal cancer could indicate plausible effects of biology, environment, and/or access and should be explored.
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Neoplasias Renales , Clase Social , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Etnicidad , Humanos , Masculino , Pronóstico , Investigación , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Introduction: Filipinos are the third largest Asian American subgroup and have the highest incidence of thyroid cancer among all races. To better understand this racial/ethnic disparity in thyroid cancer affecting Filipinos we analyzed the California Cancer Registry (CCR) data in Filipino thyroid cancer cases from 1988 to 2018. Methods: 97,948 thyroid cancer cases in California from 1988 to 2018 (until 2015 for Asian subgroups) were evaluated. We examined the case distribution by sex, age at diagnosis, race/ethnicity including Asian ethnic subgroups, histology, TNM stage, tumor size, lymph node involvement, lymphovascular invasion, and multifocality. We also looked at treatment data including surgery and radiation including radioactive iodine therapy. We calculated age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) for each major racial group and each Asian ethnic subgroup. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the likelihood of high-risk characteristics and treatment when comparing Filipinos to other racial/ethnic groups. Kaplan-Meier Estimate was performed to evaluate thyroid cancer survival across all race/ethnicities. Multivariate Cox proportion hazards regression was performed to evaluate mortality risk from all causes of death by race. Results: There were 5,243 (5.35%) Filipino thyroid cancer cases in California from 1988 to 2018. Filipinos had the highest AAMR (1.22 deaths per 100,000) in 2015. Filipinos had a higher likelihood of Stage IV thyroid cancer compared with Non-Hispanic Whites, Non-Hispanic Blacks, Hispanics and nearly all Asian subgroups. Filipinos had a worse 5-year and 10-year overall survival (OS) than the combination of all other Asian/Pacific Islanders. Filipinos compared to Non-Hispanic Whites had significant mortality risk in overall and papillary thyroid cancer cases (Overall HR: 1.10, 95% CI 1.07-1.13, p < 0.0001, Papillary HR: 1.11, 95% CI 1.07-1.14, p < 0.0001) when adjusted for race/ethnicity, age, gender, socioeconomic status, and stage. When stratified by Charlson comorbidity score, Filipinos compared to Non-Hispanic Whites still had significant mortality risk (Charlson 0 HR: 1.07, 95% CI 1.02-1.11, p = 0.0017, Charlson 1+ HR: 1.07 95% CI 1.002-1.14, p = 0.0434). Conclusions: Filipino thyroid cancer patients have higher incidences of high-risk pathological features and greater AAMR and mortality risk. These findings warrant further investigation into better understanding the connection between the greater incidence of high-risk characteristics and increased mortality in Filipinos.
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Radioisótopos de Yodo , Neoplasias de la Tiroides , Humanos , Neoplasias de la Tiroides/epidemiología , Factores de Riesgo , Sistema de Registros , California/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Prior research has not examined whether tobacco brand websites vary content based on audience demographics. This study explored whether marketing content on tobacco brand websites varied by user ethnicity, gender or age group. METHODS: Participants (n = 32) were adult smokers, representing equal numbers of eight demographic groups: user ethnicity (Non-Hispanic White, Hispanic, African American, Asian), gender (women, men) and age (age 21-35, age 36+). This study examined 12 tobacco brand websites representing four tobacco product categories (cigarettes, cigar/cigarillos, smokeless tobacco, and e-cigarettes). From January 2016 to January 2017, participants coded websites for themes, interactive activities, and links to social media sites (n = 874 website visits). Logistic regression was used to analyze observed content by participant ethnicity, age and gender. RESULTS: All themes, all interactive activities and all links to social media were observed at least once for each demographic category. Male participants were more likely to observe Harm reduction themes, while female participants were more likely to observe Promotion themes. Older participants were more likely to observe website features allowing them to select music, and request coupons. Compared to Non-Hispanic White participants, African American participants were more likely to observe links to social media sites. CONCLUSION: Tobacco brand website content varied across ethnic, age and gender groups. These findings suggest that other factors, such as tobacco use behaviors, may influence marketing strategies participants recall or find appealing. The findings from this study can inform future regulatory activities and communication strategies aimed at countering pro-tobacco content online.
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Mercadotecnía/estadística & datos numéricos , Fumadores/estadística & datos numéricos , Medios de Comunicación Sociales/estadística & datos numéricos , Industria del Tabaco/estadística & datos numéricos , Uso de Tabaco/etnología , Adulto , Negro o Afroamericano/estadística & datos numéricos , Etnicidad/estadística & datos numéricos , Femenino , Humanos , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Población Blanca/estadística & datos numéricos , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Cancer survival among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) was previously reported as showing little or no improvement compared to younger or older counterparts. The role of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the AYA survival deficit has not been evaluated. METHODS: Using cancer registry data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program (SEER 9), we examined sex-specific 5-year relative survival trends for children (0-14 years old), AYAs (15-39 years old), and older adults (40 years and older) diagnosed with cancer during 1973-2009 and followed through the end of 2014. The analysis was conducted with and without Kaposi sarcoma (KS) and lymphomas, and by two time periods: 1973-1977 (before the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome [HIV/AIDS] epidemic) and 2005-2009 (after the HIV/AIDS epidemic waned). RESULTS: A total of 3 209 721 invasive cancer cases were included in the study (27 646 children, 213 930 AYAs, and 2 968 145 older adults; 24 803 children, 178 741 AYAs, and 2 844 062 older adults when KS and lymphoma cases were excluded). We found that 5-year relative survival for AYAs exceeded that of children and older adults before the onset of the HIV/AIDS epidemic (eg, during 1973-1979, 0.58-0.67 among male AYAs as compared with 0.47-0.61 for male children and 0.36-0.42 for male older adults; among female AYAs, the numbers were 0.73-0.77 as compared with 0.51-0.65 for female children and 0.52-0.55 for female older adults); substantially declined during 1983-1997 when HIV/AIDS lacked effective treatment among male AYAs; and returned to be higher than most age groups by the late 1990s after HIV/AIDS was controlled. Nonetheless, comparison of survival improvement between 1973-1977 and 2005-2009 demonstrated less progress in AYAs than other age groups, which was due to AYAs' better baseline survival and larger survival gains among children and older adults in recent years. CONCLUSIONS: Apart from the temporary impact of HIV/AIDS, survival among AYA cancer patients has shown sustained improvement and superiority relative to other age groups. However, these encouraging findings do not negate the distinctive challenges in cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship faced by AYAs.
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Neoplasias/mortalidad , Factores Sexuales , Síndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida/epidemiología , Adolescente , Adulto , Distribución por Edad , Factores de Edad , Niño , Preescolar , Femenino , Infecciones por VIH/epidemiología , Humanos , Lactante , Recién Nacido , Linfoma/epidemiología , Linfoma/mortalidad , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Neoplasias/epidemiología , Sistema de Registros , Programa de VERF , Sarcoma de Kaposi/epidemiología , Sarcoma de Kaposi/mortalidad , Análisis de Supervivencia , Factores de Tiempo , Estados Unidos/epidemiología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Patient satisfaction often is used as a proxy for quality of care, with physicians evaluated and reimbursed based on patient satisfaction scores. As a specialty, dermatology is lagging in quality improvement studies. To fill this gap, we conducted a prospective study of targeted interventions administered at outpatient dermatology clinics to determine if they resulted in statistically significant increases in patient satisfaction measures, particularly among Spanish-speaking patients. This study, along with the existing body of research, suggests the need for continued work to maximize patient satisfaction in dermatology.
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Dermatología/normas , Evaluación de Resultado en la Atención de Salud , Satisfacción del Paciente , Enfermedades de la Piel/terapia , Adolescente , California , Etnicidad , Femenino , Accesibilidad a los Servicios de Salud , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Pacientes Ambulatorios , Estudios Prospectivos , Mejoramiento de la Calidad , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Introduction: Limited information exists about strategies and methods used on brand marketing websites to transmit pro-tobacco messages to tobacco users and potential users. This study compared age verification methods, themes, interactive activities and links to social media across tobacco brand websites. Methods: This study examined 12 tobacco brand websites representing four tobacco product categories: cigarettes, cigar/cigarillos, smokeless tobacco, and e-cigarettes. Website content was analyzed by tobacco product category and data from all website visits (n = 699) were analyzed. Adult smokers (n = 32) coded websites during a one-year period, indicating whether or not they observed any of 53 marketing themes, seven interactive activities, or five external links to social media sites. Results: Most (58%) websites required online registration before entering, however e-cigarette websites used click-through age verification. Compared to cigarette sites, cigar/cigarillo sites were more likely to feature themes related to "party" lifestyle, and e-cigarette websites were much more likely to feature themes related to harm reduction. Cigarette sites featured greater levels of interactive content compared to other tobacco products. Compared to cigarette sites, cigar/cigarillo sites were more likely to feature activities related to events and music. Compared to cigarette sites, both cigar and e-cigarette sites were more likely to direct visitors to external social media sites. Conclusion: Marketing methods and strategies normalize tobacco use by providing website visitors with positive themes combined with interactive content, and is an area of future research. Moreover, all tobacco products under federal regulatory authority should be required to use more stringent age verification gates. Implications: Findings indicate that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should require brand websites of all tobacco products under its regulatory authority use more stringent age verification gates by requiring all visitors be at least 18 years of age and register online prior to entry. This is important given that marketing strategies may encourage experimentation with tobacco or deter quit attempts among website visitors. Future research should examine the use of interactive activities and social media on a wide variety of tobacco brand websites as interactive content is associated with more active information processing.
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Mercadotecnía/métodos , Medios de Comunicación Sociales/economía , Productos de Tabaco/economía , Uso de Tabaco/economía , Uso de Tabaco/psicología , Adolescente , Sistemas Electrónicos de Liberación de Nicotina/economía , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Tabaco sin Humo/economía , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Patient satisfaction has become an important measure of quality under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. In this study, we assessed and analyzed patient satisfaction, nonattendance rates, and cycle times in an outpatient dermatology clinic. This study provides a snapshot of patient satisfaction in an urban dermatology clinic. Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, providers will be challenged to increase access to care and to validate quality of care through patient satisfaction.
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Dermatología , Satisfacción del Paciente , Pautas de la Práctica en Medicina/normas , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Atención Ambulatoria , California , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Grupos Minoritarios , Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act , Estudios Prospectivos , Mejoramiento de la Calidad , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Población Urbana , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To determine whether enrollment events may serve as a venue to identify eligible individuals, enroll them into health insurance programs, and educate them about the changes the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will bring about. METHODS: More than 2900 surveys were administered to attendees of 7 public health insurance enrollment events in California. Surveys were used to identify whether participants had any change in understanding of health reform after participating in the event. RESULTS: More than half of attendees at nearly all events had no knowledge about health reform before attending the event. On average, more than 80% of attendees knew more about health reform following the event and more than 80% believed that the law would benefit their families. CONCLUSIONS: Enrollment events can serve as an effective method to educate the public on health reform. Further research is recommended to explore in greater detail the impact community enrollment events can have on expanding public understanding of health reform.
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Determinación de la Elegibilidad/métodos , Cobertura del Seguro/organización & administración , Seguro de Salud/organización & administración , Pacientes no Asegurados , Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act/organización & administración , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , California , Femenino , Encuestas de Atención de la Salud , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estados UnidosRESUMEN
Our study assesses changes in students' knowledge and attitudes after participation in an interprofessional, team-based, geriatric home training program. Second-year medical, physician assistant, occupational therapy, social work, and physical therapy students; third-year pharmacy students; and fourth-year dental students were led by interprofessional faculty teams. Student participants were assessed before and after the curriculum using an interprofessional attitudes learning scale. Significant differences and positive data trends were noted at year-end. Our study suggests that early implementation, assessment, and standardization of years of student training is needed for optimal interprofessional geriatric learning. Additionally, alternative student assessment tools should be considered for future studies.
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Educación Profesional/organización & administración , Geriatría/educación , Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Servicios de Atención de Salud a Domicilio , Relaciones Interprofesionales , Grupo de Atención al Paciente , Anciano , Curriculum , Educación Profesional/normas , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Estudiantes del Área de la Salud , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
This article reports on our study of the effect of premium increases on disenrollment from a health insurance program for low-income immigrant children in Los Angeles County. Two groups of children were compared: those ages 6-18, who were subject to an increase, and those ages 0-5, who were not. Fewer than half of the children in the older group remained enrolled after the premium increase-slightly more than 12,000 children, compared to more than 25,000 at the beginning-and there was a 20 percent decline in overall membership in the program that was attributable to the increase. Although many families paid the higher premium to keep their children enrolled, other families were not able to do so. As programs serving disadvantaged populations contemplate premium increases, we recommend that they tailor specific interventions to children most likely to drop out; establish "hardship funds" to support children with special needs; and link families that may disenroll their children with other programs that could provide coverage or providers who could offer care.
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Cobertura del Seguro/estadística & datos numéricos , Seguro de Salud/economía , Seguro de Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Pacientes no Asegurados , Adolescente , Niño , Preescolar , Recolección de Datos , Emigrantes e Inmigrantes , Humanos , Lactante , Los Angeles , PobrezaRESUMEN
We investigated the associations between the health care setting types that California adults report as their regular source of care, socioeconomic status, and perceived racial/ethnic medical care-related discrimination. Data were analyzed from the 2005 California Health Interview Survey (n = 36,694). Adults who identified clinics/health centers/hospital clinics or "other settings" as their usual source of health care had increased odds for perceived racial/ethnic discrimination compared with those who utilized private and health maintenance organizations doctors' offices, although this was true only for middle, but not lower or higher, socio-economic respondents. We suggest several explanations for these findings and improvements for assessing health care-based racial discrimination.
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Instituciones de Salud , Disparidades en Atención de Salud/etnología , Satisfacción del Paciente/etnología , Prejuicio , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , California , Centros Comunitarios de Salud , Femenino , Encuestas de Atención de la Salud , Humanos , Entrevistas como Asunto , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To examine socio-demographic disparities associated with a quality medical home. METHODS: A nationally representative sample of children ages 0-17 years (n = 102,353) from the 2003 National Survey of Children's Health. Risk factors including non-white race/ethnicity, income <200% of the federal poverty level (FPL), uninsured, parent education lesser than high school, and non-English primary household language, were examined in relation to a quality medical home separately and together as a "profile" of risk. Fourteen questions were used to measure five medical home features: access, continuity, comprehensiveness, family-centered care, and coordination. Quality was defined as a value greater than median for each feature and for an overall score. RESULTS: Before and after adjustment for child demographics and health status, all studied risk factors were associated with poorer quality medical home features. Uninsured [odds ratio (OR) = 0.43, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.40-0.47] and low-income children (OR = 0.65, CI: 0.62-0.69) had among the lowest odds of a quality medical home overall and across most features, except coordination that showed an opposite trend. Summarized through risk profiles, children experiencing all five risk factors had 93% lower odds of a quality medical home overall (OR = 0.07, CI: 0.04-0.25) compared to zero risk children. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates large national disparities in the quality of a medical home for children. That disparities were most prevalent for the uninsured and those in or near poverty, both modifiable risk factors, suggests that reforms to increase coverage and to lift families out of poverty are essential to assuring that children have access to the full complement of appropriate health care services including a quality medical home.
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Servicios de Salud del Niño/normas , Disparidades en Atención de Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Atención Dirigida al Paciente/normas , Adolescente , Niño , Servicios de Salud del Niño/economía , Preescolar , Femenino , Disparidades en Atención de Salud/economía , Humanos , Lactante , Recién Nacido , Masculino , Pacientes no Asegurados/estadística & datos numéricos , Atención Dirigida al Paciente/economía , Calidad de la Atención de Salud , Clase Social , Estados UnidosRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To examine differences and trends in health insurance coverage and access to care for California families by immigration status. METHODS: Cross-sectional data on 37,236 families with young children <18 years of age from the 2001, 2003 and 2005 California Health Interview Survey are used to assess trends in health insurance and access to care for children and their parents by four immigration dyads: (1) both are Citizens; (2) child is a legal resident/citizen, and parent is legal resident (Documented); (3) child is a citizen, and parent is undocumented (Mixed); and (4) both are Undocumented. RESULTS: Before and after adjustment for covariates, only children in Undocumented dyads were less likely than Citizen dyads to have insurance (OR = 0.20, CI: 0.16-0.26) and all three measures of access: physician visits (OR = 0.69, CI: 0.52-0.91), dental visits (OR = 0.47, CI: 0.35-0.63), and a regular source of care (OR = 0.51, CI: 0.37-0.69). Parents in all non-Citizen dyads had poorer access than Citizen dyads across all measures, with the exception of dental visits and a regular source for parents in Documented dyads. Children of all dyads except Citizens were more likely to be insured in 2005 vs. 2001. The largest gain was for undocumented dyad children with 2.77 times higher odds (CI: 1.62-4.75) of being insured in 2005 vs. 2001. All children dyads except Mixed were also more likely to have a physician visit. For parents, there was only a decrease in insurance coverage for Citizen dyads (OR = 0.79, CI: 0.67-0.93) and few changes in access. Conclusions While there were relatively few disparities and some improvements in insurance coverage and access for children in California (except for undocumented children), concomitant changes for parents were not observed. Without attention to the family in health care reforms, disparities may not fully resolve for children and may continue or even increase for parents.
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Servicios de Salud Dental/estadística & datos numéricos , Emigrantes e Inmigrantes/estadística & datos numéricos , Salud de la Familia , Cobertura del Seguro/estadística & datos numéricos , Seguro de Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Visita a Consultorio Médico/estadística & datos numéricos , Adolescente , Adulto , California , Niño , Preescolar , Intervalos de Confianza , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Necesidades y Demandas de Servicios de Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Disparidades en el Estado de Salud , Humanos , Lactante , Recién Nacido , Masculino , Análisis Multivariante , Oportunidad Relativa , Clase Social , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: We examined population changes in access to care for children in California during a period of major efforts to improve access to care for children. METHODS: We used cross-sectional data on 36,010 children aged 0-19 years from the 2001 and 2005 California Health Interview Survey to assess population changes in access to care. We assessed changes in access by individual risk factors and a composite risk profile. RESULTS: In 2005, a smaller proportion of children were uninsured (8.2% vs. 10.9% in 2001), living in poverty (20.7% vs. 23.2% in 2001), and in families without a high school education (20.8% vs. 23.6% in 2001), all p<0.001. Before and after adjusting for these changes in risk, children were more likely in 2005 to have had a physician visit (odds ratio [OR] = 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07, 1.12) and dental visit (OR=1.11, 95% CI 1.08, 1.14). Children were slightly less likely in 2005 to have a regular source of care (OR=0.94, CI 0.91, 0.96). Children who had the highest risk profiles (> or = 4 risk factors) experienced the largest gains in access. For example, children with three and > or = 4 risk factors had gains in dental visits of 11 and 20 percentage points, respectively (p<0.001 for each), compared with < or = 3 percentage points for children with fewer risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: This study found improvements in physician and dental visits between 2001 and 2005 that were not fully explained by changes in insurance coverage or other demographic risk factors. Vulnerable children fared well during this period, suggesting that California may be making important and potentially replicable strides in reducing disparities.
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Servicios de Salud del Adolescente , Servicios de Salud del Niño , Accesibilidad a los Servicios de Salud/tendencias , Poblaciones Vulnerables , Adolescente , California , Niño , Preescolar , Estudios Transversales , Atención Dental para Niños , Encuestas de Atención de la Salud , Accesibilidad a los Servicios de Salud/economía , Disparidades en Atención de Salud , Humanos , Lactante , Recién Nacido , Seguro de Salud , Factores Socioeconómicos , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine sociodemographic disparities in having a quality medical home among a nationally representative sample of children with asthma. METHODS: The study examined data from the 2003 National Survey of Children's Health to identify 8360 children aged 2-17 years with asthma. Risk factors including nonwhite race/ethnicity, income <200% of the federal poverty level (FPL), uninsured, parent education less than high school, and non-English language, were examined individually and as a profile of risk in relation to a quality medical home. Fourteen questions were used to measure 5 medical home features: access, continuity, comprehensiveness, family-centered care, and coordination. A poorer quality medical home was defined as < or =66 on a 100-point scale-corresponding to the feature being present less than "usually"-for each feature and for an overall score. RESULTS: Before and after adjustment for demographics and asthma difficulties, most risks except less than high school parent education were related to a poorer quality medical home. Uninsured children had the highest odds of a poorer quality medical home overall (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 5.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.52-7.65) and across most features, except for coordination. Children experiencing 3+ risks had 8.56 times the odds of a poorer quality medical home overall (95% CI 4.95-14.78) versus zero risks. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates large national disparities in a quality medical home for children with asthma. That disparities were most prevalent for the uninsured (insurance being a modifiable risk factor) suggests increasing coverage is essential to assuring that children obtain a quality medical home.