Racial Ethnic Disparities in Establishing Usual Source of Care among Young Adults With and Without Disabilities, Age 14-28

Using data from the 2005 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, this session provides a profile of young adults with and without a disability, ages 14-28, stratified by racial/ethnic group. It focuses on racial/ethnic disparities with respect to having a usual source of care. With disability characterized by an activity, sensory, or social role limitation, findings indicate about 9.2% (95% C.I. 8.2 – 10.3) of all young adults 14-28 years old are reported as having a disability. Estimates of young adults with a disability across identified racial/ethnic groups are: 1) White, non-Hispanic 10.0% (95% C.I. 8.7 – 11.6); 2) Black, non-Hispanic 8.5% (95% C.I. 6.6 – 10.8); Other, non-Hispanic 10.0% (95% C.I. 6.7 – 14.8) and Hispanic 6.6 (95% C.I. 5.3 – 8.3). The estimate for Hispanic young adults with disabilities differs by reported language spoken in the home: 1) English 8.5% (95% C.I. 6.2 – 11.5) and 2) Other language 5.0% (C.I. 3.6 – 6.8). Significant differences in reported poor health and poor mental health status for young adults with and without a disability were found for each identified racial/ethnic groups.

Young adults with and without a disability are equally likely to not have a usual source of care. The top three reasons cited not having a usual source of care are: young adult is seldom sick, cost of care, and a recent move. As the United States becomes increasingly diverse, policies and programs may address specific needs of young adults of various racial and ethnic backgrounds to support their use of a usual source of care.