OBJECTIVE: To determine the contributions of personal, structural, and neighborhood characteristics to differential access to health care for older persons in the United States. METHODS: This study used the 1994 National Health Interview Survey, ages 65 and older (n = 12,341), 1990 census block group data, and data on health professional shortage areas. Logistic regression was used to model the probability of problems accessing care. RESULTS: The likelihood of access problems increased sharply with decreasing gradients of family income and for those lacking private health care insurance. Rural areas and poor areas were at a disadvantage in accessing care, whereas residents of neighborhoods that were homogeneous in ancestral heritage appeared better able to access care. DISCUSSION: Considering the high association between neighborhood and personal characteristics, it is notable that any neighborhood effects remained after combining them with personal effects.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the contributions of personal, structural, and neighborhood characteristics to differential access to health care for older persons in the United States. METHODS: This study used the 1994 National Health Interview Survey, ages 65 and older (n = 12,341), 1990 census block group data, and data on health professional shortage areas. Logistic regression was used to model the probability of problems accessing care. RESULTS: The likelihood of access problems increased sharply with decreasing gradients of family income and for those lacking private health care insurance. Rural areas and poor areas were at a disadvantage in accessing care, whereas residents of neighborhoods that were homogeneous in ancestral heritage appeared better able to access care. DISCUSSION: Considering the high association between neighborhood and personal characteristics, it is notable that any neighborhood effects remained after combining them with personal effects.
Authors: William J Meurer; Deborah A Levine; Kevin A Kerber; Darin B Zahuranec; James Burke; Jonggyu Baek; Brisa Sánchez; Melinda A Smith; Lewis B Morgenstern; Lynda D Lisabeth Journal: Ann Emerg Med Date: 2015-09-16 Impact factor: 5.721
Authors: Nynikka R A Palmer; Ann M Geiger; Lingyi Lu; L Douglas Case; Kathryn E Weaver Journal: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev Date: 2013-10 Impact factor: 4.254