Hispanics are the 3rd largest racial/ethnic group in the US, comprising 11% of the population, rising to 14% in 2010. Although there is evidence of patterns of inequity in use of health care based on race/ethnicity, relatively little is known about Hispanic access to health care procedures by condition. This study employs discharge abstract data from the 1996 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP-3) State Inpatient Database (age, gender, race/ethnicity, expected source of payment, diagnosis, procedure, length of stay, total charges) from three states in which over 50% of the US Hispanic population resides: CA, NY, and FL. Data were merged with Amer. Hosp. Asso. data on hospital characteristics, teaching status, location, and size. Findings for patients 17 and older (Hispanic (any race) and Hispanic (white), with cerebral ischemia or cerebralvascular disease showed Hispanics had higher rates of non-invasive procedures; and lower rates of invasive ones. Logistic regression reduced differences. Poor communication may be an important factor.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presenation, the participant (learner) will be able to: 1. Define diagnostic and therapeutic health service utilization for Hispanics versus non-Hispanic whites for two conditions (cardiovascular disease and benign gynegoloic conditions.) 2. Discuss qualitatively a variety of hypotheses as to why disparities in diagnostic health services exist. 3. Discuss barriers to use of services by Hispanics such as doctor-patient communication, patient perception of the role of the physician, sociocultural variations in presentation of symptoms, patient preferences, and physician bias.
Keywords: Hispanic, Access and Services
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: none
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.