Oral

Political ideology and party, more than traditional demographic traits, influence perceptions that disparities in health care depend on health insurance, facility with English language, and race or ethnicity, and whether non-Caucasian people suffer poorer quality care. This insight provides another issue for health care communications and policy. A panel of African American men drawn from health records underwent assessments of chronic diseases, consultations, and education directed to their elevated risk factors. The program included referrals to their physicians and modest rewards. The men expressed satisfaction with the program and intentions for continuation. Hepatitis A antibody among NHANES persons <20 years old (2007-08) is notably more frequent among Mexican Americans than other ethnic groups, regardless of vaccination status, according to odds ratios from multivariate analyses. From census and AMA licensure data odds ratios of physician shortage areas show differences among ethnic groups. They differ according to the rates of segregation and isolation of the groups. Such analyses as this provide a finer measure for health authorities’ assuring coverage. Data from the US Census (2000), medical expenditure survey (2006), and AMA (2006) demonstrates that primary care use varies with both its availability and degree of segregation. Ethnic groups’ use of care varies with respect to these factors. Thus, public health authorities have finer indicators of sufficient coverage for health care. Authors used sophisticated statistical methods and multiple population data sources to gain these insights.

Session Objectives: 1. Describe variations among racial/ethnic groups with respect to the behaviors in use of health care services and their health risks 2. Discuss the use of multivariate analyses to multiple population data sources for insights into significant factors in health care provision 3. Discuss novel and subtle factors affecting perceptions of disparities and health care use.

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