Area Health Resource File Research Articles

County-level racial disparities in prostate cancer specific mortality from 2005 to 2020.

Local conditions where people live continue to influence prostate cancer outcomes. By examining local characteristics associated with trends in Black-White differences in prostate cancer specific mortality (PCSM) over time, we aim to identify factors driving county-level PCSM disparities over a 15-year period. We linked county-level data (Area Health Resource File) with clinicodemographic data of men with prostate cancer (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry) from 2005 to 2020. Generalized linear mixed models evaluated associations between race and county-level age-standardized PCSM, adjusting for age, year of death, rurality, and county-level education, income, uninsured rates, and densities of urologists, radiologists, primary care providers, and hospital beds. 185,390 patients in 1085 counties were identified, of which 15.8% were non-Hispanic Black. Racial disparities in PCSM narrowed from 2005 to 2020 (25.4 per 100,000 to 19.2 per 100,000 overall; 57.9 per 100,000 to 38 per 100,000 for Non-Hispanic Black patients and 23.4 per 100,000 to 18.3 per 100,000 for Non-Hispanic White patients). For both Non-Hispanic Black and Non-Hispanic White patients, county PCSM changes varied greatly (-65% to + 77% and -61% to + 112%, respectively). From 2016 to 2020, Non-Hispanic Black harbored greater PCSM risk (RR 2.09, 95% CI 2.01-2.18); higher radiation oncologist density was significantly associated with lower mortality risk (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.89-0.98) while other provider densities were not. Although overall rates improved, specific counties experienced worsening race-based disparities over time. Identifying locations of highest (and lowest) mortality disparities remains critical to development of location-specific solutions to racial disparities in prostate cancer outcomes.

Multidimensional Healthcare Access Barriers to Prostate-Specific Antigen Testing: A Nation-Wide Panel Study in the United States From 2006 to 2020.

Rising metastatic prostate cancer incidence has renewed debate regarding benefits of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening. Identifying barriers to accessing screening for individuals at high risk of lethal prostate cancer may slow this rise. We examined associations of access barriers with receipt of PSA testing, stratified by sociodemographic factors. We pooled data from male respondents to Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance Systems (BRFSS) surveys from 2006 to 2020. Questions related to affordability (insurance, cost of visits) and accommodation (regular primary care provider (PCP), physician recommending a PSA test) were considered as individual-level barriers. For availability, we linked provider density from the 2012 Area Health Resource File and estimated driving times to closest health facility within Micropolitan and Metropolitan Statistical Area (MMSA) using Google Earth Engine. These measures were used to compute a spatial accessibility index. We fit survey-weighted, covariate-adjusted logistic regression models to estimate associations of barriers with receipt of PSA within the past 2 years and examined effect modification by sociodemographic factors. There were 185,643 participants, of whom 73% were White, 11% were Black, 4% were Asian, and 11% were Hispanic. Physician recommendation was the strongest predictor of having a PSA test (aOR: 14.5, 95% CI: 13.6, 15.6). Not having a regular PCP (aOR: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.27, 0.31), insurance (aOR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.58, 0.71), and prohibitive cost of care (aOR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.75, 0.90) were associated with lower PSA testing. Access barriers were stronger predictors of PSA testing for Asian and White participants compared to other groups (Phet < 0.004 for insurance and regular PCP) and for those with college education compared to those without (Phet < 0.05 for insurance, perceived unaffordability). Physician recommendation was the strongest predictor of receipt of PSA testing, regardless of sociodemographic grouping. Future studies should consider access barriers jointly and across sociodemographic strata.

The Influence of Hospital Physician Integration on Culture of Patient Safety.

Medical errors are responsible for a large number of deaths every year in the Unites States. Hospitals use various strategies including leadership, staffing, and structural changes to deal with this concerning issue. Hospital physician integration is a structural strategy to possibly improve patient safety. Using the conceptual lens of Donabedian's Structure Process Outcome model, this study aims to investigate how hospital physician integration affects organizational, management, and communication attributes of patient safety culture. A pooled cross sectional study design using the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture, the American Hospital Association data, and Area Health Resource File was used to analyze the relationship between hospital physician integration and organizational and management patient safety culture attributes. The dataset comprised of hospital level data from 2021 and 2022 for patient safety culture and hospital characteristics and contained a final sample of 205 observations. The independent variable was levels of integration across five levels. Three attributes of safety culture were chosen-positive perceptions of communication openness, organizational learning, and hospital management support for patient safety. The control variables were organizational characteristics. Multivariable linear regression was used as the analytic method. Findings demonstrated a statistically significant correlation between higher level of hospital physician integration and positive perceptions of hospital management support for patient safety. There are 0.063 higher positive perceptions of hospital management support for patient safety for higher levels of integration compared with lower levels of integration (P < 0.05). Perceptions of communication openness and organizational learning did not demonstrate a statistically significant correlation with any level of hospital physician integration. Hospital physician integration and hospital management support for patient safety were moderately but significantly related. Hospital physician integration allows resources to become available for physician. As physicians take on management roles management of resources and eventually performance can improve, there is a need for future research in this area to examine if integration is a step in the right direction to overcome the challenges of patient safety and if investments in resources and training can be beneficial to safety culture.

The Cancer Equity Compass: Interactive maps showing the association between social determinants of health and cancer disparities.

149 Background: Cancer incidence and mortality in Black, Hispanic and Native American populations is over twice that in the White population for some prevalent cancers. A new, publicly available mapping tool, the Cancer Equity Compass (CEC), was developed to inform data-driven initiatives to improve equity by identifying community factors associated with cancer disparities. The tool is comprised of interactive maps that visually reveal correlations between two variables. Development of the tool began with assembling a group of nine advisors with expertise in cancer prevention, treatment and health equity. These experts inform the strategy, data sources, variables of interest, and stakeholder value propositions for the CEC. Methods: The data source for the CEC is a national, multi-level database developed using individual, health system, and community data, aggregated by county. For the three most common cancers in the U.S., breast, prostate and lung, screening and prevalence rates were collected from 2021 Medicare 5% research identifiable files and mortality rates from 2020 SEER Medicare rates. These metrics were each mapped with a variety of social determinants of health (SDOH) variables. Population rates for minorities, education, poverty, income and unemployment, and an air quality measure were from the Area Health Resources File. Environmental risks were derived from the Environmental Justice Index and included environmental burden (ranked 0-17 for pollution, toxic sites, built environment, transportation infrastructure and water pollution), air pollution (ranked 0-4), and social vulnerability (ranked 0-14 across socioeconomic variables). Results: Each map includes one cancer metric and one SDOH variable. Each variable is stratified to show the top quartile, middle 50%, and bottom quartile. The choropleth heat maps, created on Tableau, display 9 colors representing each combination of the three levels (&gt;75%, 25-75%, &lt;25%) for both mapped variables. The CEC currently has 140 maps presenting visualizations of county SDOH associations with cancer disparities. Conclusions: The expert advisors on the project have outlined four avenues for the CEC to aid efforts to improve cancer equity: 1) Enhance diversity in clinical trial recruitment and data registries through targeted site recruitment; 2) Identify high opportunity targets for improving equity and informing solutions; 3) Identify common correlates of disparities within and across U.S. counties to direct priorities for national policy and programs for large-scale impact; and 4) Measure change to support improvement efforts and report impact of equity initiatives. The CEC will be expanded with additional measures including healthcare access. The goal is use by stakeholders and changemakers who can apply the reported data to fuel advocacy efforts and enact positive change.

Primary care physician density and mortality in the United States

BackgroundGeographic physician availability differences are associated with healthcare outcomes. However, the association between primary care physician (PCP) density and mortality outcomes is less well-established. MethodsThe study analyzed 2019 county-level nonfederal PCP data from the Health Resources and Services Administration Area Health Resource File and mortality data using the CDC WONDER (Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research). All-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD)- related age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) per 100,000 population stratified by the number of PCPs per 100,000 quartiles were extracted. Using AAMRs as continuous variables, linear regression was performed to determine the association of AAMRs with PCPs per 100,000 (reference, first quartile), adjusting for the social vulnerability index (SVI). ResultsA total of 3142 counties were included in the analysis. Among counties stratified by PCPs per 100,000 quartiles, all-cause AAMRs were 828 (95% CI, 824-832) in the first quartile, 798 (95% CI, 796-801) in the second quartile, 737 (95% CI, 735-739) in the third quartile, and 679 (95% CI, 678-680) in the fourth quartile. Similar trends were seen in CVD-related AAMRs, which were 446 (95% CI, 443-449),439(95% CI, 437-441), 403 (95% CI, 402-404), and 365 (95% CI, 364-366), respectively. Counties without PCP (221, included in first quartile) had all-cause and CVD-related AAMR of 797 (95%CI, 783-812) and 430 (95%CI, 419-440), respectively. Compared with the first quartile, SVI-adjusted analyses showed β-coefficient (95%CI) of all-cause mortality for the second, third, and fourth quartiles of -4.11 (95% CI, -18.31, 10.08), -35.37 (95% CI, -49.57, -21.17) and -85.79 (95% CI, -100.10, -71.48). Similar results were observed for CVD-related AAMR. ConclusionHigher PCP per 100,000 is generally associated with better all-cause and CVD-associated mortality outcomes, however complex factors likely play a role in determining these outcomes in counties with lower PCP per 100,000, which warrant further investigation.

Association of county-level provider density with hepatobiliary cancer incidence and mortality.

Access to healthcare providers is a key factor in reducing cancer incidence and mortality, underscoring the significance of provider density as a crucial metric of health quality. We sought to characterize the association of provider density on hepatobiliary cancer population-level incidence and mortality. County-level hepatobiliary cancer incidence and mortality data from 2016 to 2020 and provider data from 2016 to 2018 were obtained from the CDC and Area Health Resource File. Multivariable logistic regression was utilized to evaluate the relationship between provider density and hepatobiliary cancer incidence and mortality. Among 1359 counties, 851 (62.6%) and 508 (37.4%) counties were categorized as urban and rural, respectively. The median number of providers in any given county was 104 (IQR: 44-306), while provider density was 120.1 (IQR: 86.7-172.2) per 100,000 population; median household income was $51,928 (IQR: $45,050-$61,655). Low provider-density counties were more likely to have a greater proportion of residents over 65years of age (52.7% vs. 49.6%) who were uninsured (17.4% vs. 13.2%) versus higher provider-density counties (p<0.05). Moreover, all-stage incidence, late-stage incidence, and mortality rates were higher in counties with low provider density. On multivariable analysis, moderate, and high provider density were associated with lower odds of all-stage incidence, late-stage incidence, and mortality. Higher county-level provider density was associated with lower hepatobiliary cancer-related incidence and mortality. Efforts to increase access to healthcare providers may improve healthcare equity as well as long-term cancer outcomes.

Patient experience with hospital care following the Maryland global budget revenue model: A difference-in-difference analysis.

As a result of the success of Maryland's full risk capitated payment model experiment (Global Budget Revenue) in constraining healthcare costs, there is momentum for expanding the reach of such models. However, as these models are implemented, studies analyzing their long-term effects suggest unintended spillover effects that may ultimately influence patient experiences. The aim of this study was to determine whether implementation of the GBR was associated with changes in patient experience. Cross-sectional study using a difference-in-difference analysis to examine changes in patient experiences according to the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) domains before and after implementation of the GBR model. Acute care hospitals from 2010-2016 with completed HCAHPS surveys were included. Hospitals identified for inclusion were then matched, based on county location, to area level characteristics using the Area Health Resource File. A total of 844 hospitals were included. Compared to hospitals in non-GBR states, hospitals in GBR states experienced significant declines in the following HCAHPS domains: "would definitely recommend the hospital to others" [Average treatment effect (ATT) = -1.19, 95% CI = -1.97, -0.41)] and 9-10 rating of the hospital (ATT = -0.93, 95% CI = -1.71, -0.15). Results also showed significant increases in the HCAHPS domains: "if patient's rooms and bathroom were always kept clean" (ATT = 1.10, 95% CI = 0.20, 2.00). There were no significant differences in changes for the other domains, including no improvements in: nursing communication, doctor communication, help from hospital staff, pain control, communication on medicines, discharge information, and quietness of the patient environment. These findings suggest there should be efforts made to ascertain and mitigate potential adverse effects of care transformation initiatives on patient experience. Patients are stakeholders and their inputs should be sought and incorporated in care transformation efforts to ensure that these models align with improved patient experiences.

Hospital–Skilled Nursing Facility Integration and Participation in a Bundled Payment Initiative

Reduced institutional postacute care has been associated with savings in alternative payment models. However, organizations may avoid voluntary participation if participation could threaten their own revenues. To characterize the association between hospital-skilled nursing facility (SNF) integration and participation in Medicare's Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced (BPCI-A) program. This is a cross-sectional analysis of hospital participation in BPCI-A beginning with its launch in 2018. Each SNF-integrated hospital was matched with 2 nonintegrated hospitals for each of 4 episode-specific analyses. Fifteen hospital-level variables were used for matching: beds, case mix index, days, area SNF beds, metropolitan location, ownership, region, system membership, and teaching status. Hospitals were also matched on episode-specific volume, target price, and the interaction of target price and case mix. Episode-specific logistic models were estimated regressing hospital participation on integration and the previously listed variables. The marginal effect of integration on participation was then calculated. Analysis took place from August 2022 to May 2024. Hospital-SNF integration, as defined by common ownership and referral patterns and identified using cost reports, Medicare claims, and Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System records. Additional sources included records of target prices and participation, the Area Health Resources File, and the Compendium of US Health Systems. Participation in BPCI-A. In total, 1524 hospitals met criteria for inclusion in the hip and femur (HFP) analysis, 1825 were included in the major joint replacement of the lower extremity (MJRLE) analysis, 2018 were included in the sepsis analysis, and 1564, were included in the stroke-specific analysis. Across episodes, 191 HFP-eligible hospitals (12.5% of HFP-eligible hospitals), 302 MJRLE-eligible hospitals (16.5%), 327 sepsis-eligible hospitals (16.2%), and 185 sepsis-eligible hospitals (11.8%) were SNF integrated. In total, 79 hospitals (5.2%) participated in the HFP episode, 128 (7.0%) participated in the MJRLE episode, 204 (10.1%) participated in the sepsis episode, and 141 (9.0%) participated in the stroke episode. Integration was associated with a 4.7-percentage point decrease (95% CI, 2.4 to 6.9 percentage points) in participation in the MJRLE episode. There was no association between integration and participation for HFP (0.5-percentage point increase in participation moving from nonintegrated to integrated; 95% CI, -2.9 to 3.8 percentage points), sepsis (1.0-percentage point increase; 95% CI, -2.2 to 4.2 percentage points), and stroke (0.3-percentage point decrease; 95% CI, -3.1 to 3.8 percentage points). In this cross-sectional study, there was an uneven association between hospital-SNF integration and participation in Medicare's BPCI-A program. Other factors may be more consistent determinants of selection into voluntary payment reform.

Characteristics Associated With Mental Health Treatment Prior to Suicide Among Youth in the United States

To examine individual and contextual characteristics associated with receipt of mental health treatment prior to youth suicide. Data from the US National Violent Death Reporting System, Area Health Resource File, and Social Vulnerability Index were used to examine characteristics associated with receipt of mental health treatment within 2 months before death among youth suicide decedents aged 5 to 17 years from 2013 to 2020 (N= 6,229). The association between individual (demographic, precipitating circumstances, and clinical characteristics) and contextual-level variables (county health resources, Social Vulnerability Index) and mental health service use was modeled using logistic regression. Mental health treatment was received by 31.6% of youth suicide decedents (n= 1,967) in the 2 months before suicide. Male individuals and youth from all racial and ethnic minority groups were less likely to receive mental health treatment in the 2 months prior to suicide, as were youth residing in non-metropolitan counties and living in counties characterized by high compared to low levels of social vulnerability. A history of family problems, a recent crisis, criminal/legal problems, and suicidal thoughts and attempts were associated with increased odds of receiving mental health services. Youth suicide decedents who were male, members of a racial or ethnic minority group, and residing in counties that are non-metropolitan and/or socially disadvantaged were less likely to have received mental health services in the months prior to death. Suicide prevention efforts that focus on improving access to care are essential for these vulnerable populations at risk for suicide.

Trends in hospital capacity and utilization in Puerto Rico by health regions, 2010–2020

Like many under resourced, island communities, most of the municipalities in Puerto Rico are medically underserved. However, there is limited information about changes in hospital capacity and any regional disparities in availability of hospital services in Puerto Rico, especially given the multiple public health emergencies the island has faced in recent years (e.g. hurricanes, earthquakes, and COVID-19). This study described the trends in hospital capacity and utilization for the Island of Puerto Rico and by health regions from 2010 to 2020. We analyzed the 2021–22 Area Health Resource File (AHRF) and aggregated the data by seven health regions, which are groupings of municipalities defined by the Puerto Rico Department of Health. Ten-year estimates for hospital utilization were adjusted for population size by health region. During the more recent five-year period, there were decreases in hospitals, hospital beds, and surgeries, which represent a shift from the earlier five-year period. Over the 10 years of the study period, there was an overall decrease in population-adjusted measures of hospital utilization on the island of Puerto Rico—despite multiple disasters that would, theoretically, increase need for health care services. We also found variation in hospital capacity and utilization by health regions indicating the rate of change was not uniform across Puerto Rico. The capacity of Puerto Rico’s hospital system has shrunk over the past decade which may pose a challenge when responding to recurrent major public health emergencies, especially within specific health regions.

Geographic variation in shortfalls of dementia specialists in the United States.

Dementia specialists-neurologists, geriatricians, and geriatric psychiatrists-serve a critical clinical function in diagnosing early-stage Alzheimer's disease and determining eligibility for treatment with disease-modifying therapies. However, the availability of dementia specialists is limited and varies across the United States. Using data from the Area Health Resources Files, we found that the median density of dementia specialists across hospital referral regions in United States is 28.8 per 100 000 population aged 65 years and older (interquartile range 19.3-43.6). We derived thresholds of 33-45 dementia specialists per 100 000 population aged 65 years and older as the provider density necessary to care for older adults with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Based on these thresholds, we estimated that 34%-59% of the population aged 65 years and older resided in areas with potential dementia specialist shortfalls. The extent of potential shortfalls varied by state and rurality. A better understanding of potential gaps in the availability of dementia specialists will inform policies and practices to ensure access to services for people with cognitive impairment and dementia.

The association between comprehensive medication review and medication adherence among medicare beneficiaries with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BackgroundMedicare Part D plans are required to provide Medication therapy management (MTM) services to eligible beneficiaries to optimize medication utilization. Comprehensive medication review (CMR) is a core element of the MTM program. Despite the availability of advanced medical treatment for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), medication adherence to maintenance medications poses a continued challenge for patients with COPD. ObjectiveTo examine the effects of CMR on medication adherence among patients with COPD. MethodsMedicare data for 2016–2017 linked to Area Health Resource Files were analyzed. The study population was Medicare beneficiaries with COPD. The intervention group consisted of beneficiaries who received CMR in 2017 but not in 2016. Patients who were eligible for MTM services but did not receive these services in 2016 or 2017 made up the control group. Propensity score matching was used to select an intervention and control group with balanced characteristics. The study outcome was adherence to COPD medications with the proportion of days covered at or above 80%. A difference-in-differences approach was adopted in the logistic regression analyses with an interaction term between the status of CMR receipt and the year 2017. ResultsThe study sample included 25,564 patients with COPD. The proportions of adherent patients were similar in the control group in both years but increased significantly from 60.08% in 2016 to 69.38% in 2017 in the intervention group (P < .001). The odds of medication adherence in the intervention group increased from 2016 to 2017 by 59% more than in the control group (adjusted odds ratio = 1.59, 95% confidence interval = 1.48–1.71). ConclusionsReceiving CMR was associated with improved adherence to COPD medications among Medicare beneficiaries. Policymakers should ensure that Medicare beneficiaries with COPD receive CMR.

The Effect of Medicare Annual Wellness Visits on Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnosis.

The Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV)-a prevention-focused annual check-up-has been available to beneficiaries with Part B coverage since 2011. The objective of this study was to estimate the effect of Medicare AWVs on breast cancer screening and diagnosis. The National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results cancer registry data linked to Medicare claims (SEER-Medicare), HRSA's Area Health Resources Files, the FDA's Mammography Facilities database, and CMS "Mapping Medicare Disparities" utilization data from 2013 to 2015. Using an instrumental variables approach, we estimated the effect of AWV utilization on breast cancer screening and diagnosis, using county Welcome to Medicare Visit (WMV) rates as the instrument. 66,088 person-year observations from 49,769 unique female beneficiaries. For every 1-percentage point increase in county WMV rate, the probability of AWV increased by 1.7 percentage points. Having an AWV was associated with a 22.4-percentage point increase in the probability of receiving a screening mammogram within 6 months ( P <0.001). There was no statistically significant increase in the probability of breast cancer diagnosis (overall or early stage) within 6 months of an AWV. Findings were robust to multiple model specifications. Performing routine cancer screening is an evidence-based practice for diagnosing earlier-stage, more treatable cancers. The AWV effectively increases breast cancer screening and may lead to more timely screening. Continued investment in Annual Wellness Visits supports breast cancer screening completion by women who are most likely to benefit, thus reducing the risk of overscreening and overdiagnosis.

Association of characteristics of cancer, patient, and county with telemedicine services use: Impact of the waiver of reimbursement restrictions on telemedicine.

11058 Background: Telemedicine services have great potential to improve access to care of cancer patients who are vulnerable in health status and may experience financial hardship due to the cost of their care. However, very little is known about how the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ waiver of reimbursement restrictions on telemedicine and characteristics of cancer affected their use of telemedicine services. We examined the changes in frequency of telemedicine use before and after the waiver and, after the waiver, the determinants of telemedicine use across medical provider types. Methods: We used the 5% Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results registry file linked to Medicare data among patients who had a newly diagnosed cancer in 2019 and were enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B during 2019-2020, and Area Health Resources File. Our outcomes were binary variables of telemedicine services use in outpatient (OP), office-based clinics (OB), and emergency department (ED), respectively, and for detailed provider types in OB. Primary independent variables included the ten most frequently observed cancer sites (reference: all other sites), sequence of cancer, stage of diagnosis, and quarter of diagnosis in 2019. Analysis was by a multilevel mixed effects logistic regression model, adjusting characteristics of cancer, patient and county. Results: Among eligible patients (n = 14,226), telemedicine services use for all provider types increased from 4.3% in pre-waiver period to 40.3% (5.2% in OP, 39.3% in OB, and 0.2% in ED) in post-waiver period. Telemedicine services use varied by primary cancer site, but was higher for those with a cancer recurrence (odds ratio [OR] 1.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16-1.60) and advanced cancer stage (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.03-1.48). For visits to oncologists, cancer characteristics such as recurrence (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.34-2.08), advanced stage (OR 5.52, 95% CI 4.12-7.40) and diagnosis in the last quarter in 2019 (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.20-1.61) were associated with greater use of telemedicine. Patients of older age and minority race/ethnicity and in non-Northeast regions were less likely to use telemedicine, while women, patients with dual eligibility for Medicaid, and those living in a county with high median household income and high availability of hospital beds were more likely to use telemedicine. Conclusions: Cancer patients used telemedicine services more frequently after the waiver and their cancer characteristics were most strongly associated with that use, implying their greater need for, and benefit from, telemedicine. Disparities in telemedicine use related to individual and county-level socio-demographics and medical supply suggest health policy changes to improve equitable access to telemedicine and efficient cancer care planning.

Effects of socioeconomic status (SES) and healthcare resource (HCR) availability on survival in Black patients (pts) versus (vs) White pts with multiple myeloma (MM): A SEER Medicare analysis.

e13678 Background: In MM, disparities exist for overall survival (OS) by race, and many factors may contribute to these differences. This study evaluates whether SES and HCR availability impacts OS in older pts with newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) based on race. Methods: This retrospective study used linked SEER-Medicare claims (diagnosis [Dx] 6/1/2013–12/31/2017) and Area Health Resource Files (AHRFs; from 2018) to identify non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic Black pts aged ≥66 years with NDMM. AHRFs included county-level HCR availability data (e.g. number of long-term hospital beds, medical doctors [MDs]). Continuous Medicare A and B enrollment until 12/31/2019 or preceding death was required. Pts with other cancers, Dx from death data, missing county information and enrollment in health maintenance organizations or clinical trials were excluded. Kaplan-Meier was used for unadjusted median OS and Cox proportional hazards for OS risk by race. Age, sex, race, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), poverty, education, and HCR availability were included in the adjusted mixed effects Cox model. Results: We identified 6,609 pts with NDMM; 15.6% were Black. For Black pts vs White pts, median age at Dx was 76 vs 77 years, 57.1% vs 46.0% were female, and mean CCI was 2.1 vs 1.4 (p&lt;.001 for all). Within census tracts, mean percentage of pts living under the poverty line and received &lt;12 years of education was 21.2% vs 11.3% (p&lt;.001) and 19.0% vs 11.3% (p&lt;.001) for Black pts vs White pts, respectively. Unadjusted median OS for Black pts vs White pts was 2.76 vs 3.01 years (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.08; p=.063). In the adjusted model, several SES and HCR availability factors were significant. OS HR by race reversed directionality when adjusted for demographics, SES and HCR availability, but this was not significant (HR: 0.92; p=.12; Table). Conclusions: We found that Black pts with NDMM in SEER-Medicare claims were younger, had higher CCI, completed less education, and were more likely to live in census tracts with higher poverty percentages vs White pts. Several factors relating to SES and HCR availability significantly influenced OS and may drive disparities in care. Further research on larger datasets is needed to better understand these disparities. [Table: see text]

Association of county-level provider density and social vulnerability with colorectal cancer-related mortality

BackgroundHealth care providers play a crucial role in increasing overall awareness, screening, and treatment of cancer, leading to reduced cancer mortality. We sought to characterize the impact of provider density on colorectal cancer population-level mortality. MethodsCounty-level provider data, obtained from the Area Health Resource File between 2016 and 2018, were used to calculate provider density per county. These data were merged with county-level colorectal cancer mortality 2016–2020 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Multivariable regression was performed to define the association between provider density and colorectal cancer mortality. ResultsAmong 2,863 counties included in the analytic cohort, 1,132 (39.5%) and 1,731 (60.5%) counties were categorized as urban and rural, respectively. The colorectal cancer-related crude mortality rate was higher in counties with low provider density versus counties with moderate or high provider density (low = 22.9, moderate = 21.6, high = 19.3 per 100,000 individuals; P < .001). On multivariable analysis, the odds of colorectal cancer mortality were lower in counties with moderate and high provider density versus counties with low provider density (moderate odds ratio 0.97, 95% confidence interval 0.94–0.99; high odds ratio 0.88, 95% confidence interval 0.86–0.91). High provider density remained associated with a lower likelihood of colorectal cancer mortality independent of social vulnerability index (low social vulnerability index and high provider density: odds ratio 0.85, 95% confidence interval 0.81–0.89; high social vulnerability index and high provider density: odds ratio 0.93, 95% confidence interval 0.89–0.98). ConclusionRegardless of social vulnerability index, high county-level provider density was associated with lower colorectal cancer-related mortality. Efforts to increase access to health care providers may improve health care equity, as well as long-term cancer outcomes.

Cost-effectiveness of medication therapy management among Medicare population and across racial/ethnic groups.

Inappropriate medication utilization among older adults is a pressing concern in the United States, owing to its high prevalence and the consequential detrimental impact it engenders. The adverse effects stemming from the inappropriate use of medication may be unequally borne by racial/ethnic minority populations, calling for greater efforts towards promoting equity in healthcare. The study objective was to assess the cost-effectiveness of Medication Therapy Management (MTM) services among Medicare beneficiaries and across racial/ethnic groups. Medicare administrative data from 2016 to 2017 linked to Area Health Resources Files were used to analyze Medicare fee-for-service patients aged 65 or above with continuous Parts A/B/D coverage. The intervention group included new MTM enrollees in 2017; the control group referred to patients who met the general MTM eligible criteria but did not enroll in 2016 or 2017. The 2 groups were matched using a propensity score method. Effectiveness was evaluated as the proportion of appropriate medication utilization based on performance measures developed by the Pharmacy Quality Alliance. Costs were computed as total healthcare costs from Medicare perspective. A multivariable net benefit regressions with a classic linear model and Bayesian analysis were utilized. Net benefit was calculated based on willingness-to-pay thresholds at various multiples of the gross domestic product in 2017. Three-way interaction terms among dummy variables for MTM enrollment, 2017, and racial/ethnic minority groups were incorporated in a difference-in-differences study design. After adjusting for patient characteristics, the findings indicate that MTM receipt was associated with incremental net benefit among each race and ethnicity. For instance, the net benefit of MTM among the non-Hispanic White patients was $2498 (95% confidence interval = $1609, $3386) at a willingness-to-pay value of $59,908. The study found no significant difference in net benefits for MTM services between minority and White patients. The study provides evidence that MTM is a cost-effective tool for managing medication utilization among the Medicare population. However, MTM may not be cost-effective in reducing racial/ethnic disparities in medication utilization in the short term. Further research is needed to understand the long-term cost-effectiveness of MTM on racial/ethnic disparities.

Maternity Care Deserts and Postpartum Outcomes: Bridging the Gap in Maternal Health Care in Florida [ID 2683485

INTRODUCTION: Over 2.2 million women of reproductive age live in areas, referred to as maternity care deserts (MCD), with inadequate access to postpartum care services. Furthermore, deaths occurring during the postpartum period account for over half of all pregnancy related deaths. This analysis serves to provide an overview of the intricate relationship between health care access and postpartum health while exploring the increased risk of delayed detection of postpartum complications and the association to increasing maternal mortality rates. METHODS: Data provided by the Area Health Resource File were used to identify counties in Florida that met the criteria of a designated MCD. Data collected on all pregnancy-related deaths verified by the Florida Department of Health (2020–2021) and geographic codes for MCD were used to identify significant associations. RESULTS: This study collected data from a total of 1,938 pregnancy related deaths. A significant increase in the number of postpartum related deaths was during that time (75%). More than a quarter were in MCD (26%). An association of postpartum related deaths with MCD showed an increase (22%). 1 in 10 women living in MCD reported to not receive a postpartum care visit, these counties were also noted to be more likely to have limited telehealth access (30%). CONCLUSION: Maternity care desert limitations to postpartum care reduce prevention efforts, increase risk for delayed complications to go undetected, and contribute to the maternal mortality rates. Potential solutions include policy revisions to expand telehealth access and efforts to increase the awareness of the importance of postpartum care.

Why location matters: associations between county-level characteristics and availability of National Cancer Oncology Research Program and National Cancer Institute sites.

The majority of patients with cancer seek care at community oncology sites; however, most clinical trials are available at National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated sites. Although the NCI National Cancer Oncology Research Program (NCORP) was designed to address this problem, little is known about the county-level characteristics of NCORP site locations. This cross-sectional analysis determined the association between availability of NCORP or NCI sites and county-level characteristic theme percentile scores from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Social Vulnerability Index themes. Health Resources and Services Administration's Area Health Resource Files were used to determine contiguous counties. We estimated risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using modified Poisson regression models to evaluate the association between county-level characteristics and site availability within singular and singular and contiguous counties. Of 3141 included counties, 14% had an NCORP, 2% had an NCI, and 1% had both sites. Among singular counties, for a standard deviation increase in the racial and ethnic theme score, there was a 22% higher likelihood of NCORP site availability (95% CI = 1.10 to 1.36); for a standard deviation increase in the socioeconomic status theme score, there was a 24% lower likelihood of NCORP site availability (95% CI = 0.67 to 0.87). Associations were of smaller magnitude when including contiguous counties. NCI sites were located in more vulnerable counties. NCORP sites were more often in racially diverse counties and less often in socioeconomically vulnerable counties. Research is needed to understand how clinical trial representation will increase if NCORP sites strategically increase their locations in more vulnerable counties.

Factors Associated With the Ability of US Nursing Homes to Accept Residents With Severe Obesity

ObjectivesSevere obesity in nursing home (NH) residents is associated with specialized care needs, limited mobility, and challenges in daily living. The COVID-19 pandemic strained NH resources and exacerbated staffing shortages. This study aimed to assess the ability of US NHs to accept and care for residents with severe obesity post-COVID, as well as associated NH factors. DesignCross-sectional nationwide survey of NH administrators (2021-2022). Setting and Participants290 NHs from a national sample (n = 224) and a targeted sample in Massachusetts and New Jersey (n = 66). MethodsA survey designed to assess how NHs approach admitting and caring for people with severe obesity before and after COVID was fielded from 2021 to 2022. Responses were linked to facility information from the Certification and Survey Provider Enhanced Reports, Minimum Data Set, Nursing Home Compare, Area Health Resources File, and US Diabetes Surveillance System. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the effect of organizational and survey response variables. ResultsOf the 2503 surveys sent to US NHs, 1923 were sent to the national NH stratified sample, and 580 were sent to the MA/NJ sample. Overall, 12% (301 of 2503) of NHs surveyed responded. The response rates were similar between the 2 samples. Of 290 NHs with complete data, 34% reported being unlikely to accept residents with severe obesity after COVID-19, compared with 25% before the pandemic (P < .001). The main barriers to acceptance were staffing shortages and difficulties meeting equipment and space needs. NHs with higher proportions of Black residents were more likely to admit individuals with severe obesity. Conclusions and ImplicationsThe decline in acceptance of residents with severe obesity during and after COVID-19 highlights potential challenges that this population faces in accessing care. Our results also raise concerns that an intersection of disparities may exist in Black patients with severe obesity.