Oral

1. Examine the likelihood of bariatric surgery among morbidly obese patients across rural/urban locales, racial/ethnic groups, socioeconomic levels, co-morbidity levels, and insurance categories. 2. Understand racial differences in quality care for common diseases in the Medicaid population. 3. Analyze racial disparity in quality of care among prostate cancer patients after controlling for stage, comorbidity, socioeconomic status and clinical characteristics. 4. Determine if patients who enrolled in Medicaid after cancer diagnosis have more advanced stage cancers than those who enrolled prior to diagnosis. 5. Evaluate racial and ethnic disparities of overweight and obesity related co-morbidities in Massachusetts.

Session Objectives: 1. Compare the demographic , socio-economic, and rural-urban residence factors associated with the likelihood of receiving obesity-related bariatric surgery among patients with morbid obesity. 2. Benchmark current adherence to select national treatment guidelines and HEDIS quality measures by race for eight common chronic diseases in a Medicaid population. 3. Analyze racial disparities in quality of care among prostate cancer patients after controlling for stage, comorbidity, socioeconomic status and clinical characteristics. 4. Describe how late Medicaid enrollment impacts cancer stage at diagnosis. 5. Analyze the prevalence of obesity and obesity related co-morbidities (i.e. high cholesterol, diabetes, and hypertension, heart attack, angina, and stroke) in Massachusetts in the period 1984-2007.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)