May 20, 2012

RACIAL DISPARITIES – Education Level Tied Closely to Incidence of Diabetes Among Whites and Hispanics But Not Blacks, Study Finds

education

In a 1997 to 2002 investigation, researchers from Columbia University and University of Michigan found a strong inverse relationship between educational attainment and diabetes prevalence.  This relationship was present among study participants who were non-Hispanic … [Read more...]

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT – Emergency Department Asthma Clinic Improves Many Outcomes in a Pediatric Population

Children with Asthma

In a 2002-2004 study involving children with recurrent visits to an urban emergency department (ED) for asthma treatment, researchers “found that a single follow-up visit to a comprehensive ED-based asthma clinic resulted in significant and clinically relevant … [Read more...]

SAFETY-NET HOSPITALS – Survey Finds Safety-Net Hospitals’ “Medical Home” Programs to be Effective in Improving Care and Reducing Costs

hospitals

A 2008 survey by the National Association of Public Hospitals of 46 “medical home” programs initiated by its members revealed significant patient-care improvements that included improved care coordination and a resultant reduction in emergency department (ED) … [Read more...]

AMBULATORY CARE CENTERS – Ambulatory Surgical Centers Found to Have High Rates of Infection Control Lapses

ambulatory care center

In a new study published in the June 9 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a research team from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discovered widespread lapses in the infection control procedures at 68 ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) … [Read more...]

ETHNIC DISPARITIES – Survey Demonstrates Greater Barriers to Care in the Rural South Among Black Versus White Adults

ethnic disparities

Investigators from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have conducted a study showing that black adults in the rural south were more likely than their white counterparts to report encountering barriers to care, even though they used a comparable or greater … [Read more...]

PREVENTIVE CARE – In General, Telephone Reminders Have Muted Effect on Adolescent Immunizations and Preventive Visits in an Urban Population

preventive-care

A research team from University of Rochester and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a study which showed that telephone reminders had a limited impact on urban adolescents’ rates of immunization and health care visits. Intervention participants … [Read more...]

UNINSURED – Study Finds Uninsured More Likely to Die From Trauma When Compared to Insured Patients

Trauma

A research team from the University of Buffalo has compared outcomes among trauma patients by insurance status and race.  The most significant, and perhaps most surprising, finding was that uninsured patients were more likely to succumb to their traumatic injuries than … [Read more...]

ACCESS – Physicians Found to be Less Likely to Accept Poor Blacks Versus Whites Into Their Practices

Access

A research team from the University of Oregon and New York University investigated factors affecting the likelihood of urban physicians accepting Medicaid coverage at their practice.  The analysis revealed that “physicians are more likely to participate in Medicaid … [Read more...]

SCHIP – Study of New SCHIP Enrollees in Two States Finds That Most Lacked Prior Health Insurance

schip

According to a study led by researchers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, approximately 72% of new adolescent SCHIP enrollees in two state programs had not been insured at any time during the prior year. The study sample included 12 to 18 year olds … [Read more...]

HEALTH LITERACY – Survey Highlights Magnitude of Health Illiteracy Within One New York City Clinic

health illiteracy

A 2004 survey conducted at a primary care pediatrics clinic in Bronx, NY, showed that out of 326 English-speaking parents, 77% incorrectly dosed liquid medication for their children. The Albert Einstein College of Medicine investigation team instructed parents to … [Read more...]