Lucy A Bilaver1, Kristen M Kester2, Bridget M Smith3, Ruchi S Gupta4. 1. Department of Public Health, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois; r-gupta@northwestern.edu. 2. New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York; 3. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois; and Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Edward J. Hines, Jr. Veterans Affairs Hospital, Hines, Illinois. 4. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois; and.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: We compared direct medical costs borne by the health care system and out-of-pocket costs borne by families for children with food allergy by socioeconomic characteristics. METHODS: We analyzed cross-sectional survey data collected between November 2011 and January 2012 from 1643 US caregivers with a food-allergic child. We used a 2-part regression model to estimate mean costs and identified differences by levels of household income and race or ethnicity. RESULTS: Children in the lowest income stratum incurred 2.5 times the amount of emergency department and hospitalization costs as a result of their food allergy than higher-income children ($1021, SE ±$209, vs $416, SE ±$94; P < .05). Costs incurred for specialist visits were lower in the lowest income group ($228, SE ±$21) compared with the highest income group ($311, SE ±$18; P < .01) as was spending on out-of-pocket medication costs ($117, SE ± $26, lowest income; $366, SE ±$44, highest income; P < .001). African American caregivers incurred the lowest amount of direct medical costs and spent the least on out-of-pocket costs, with average adjusted costs of $493 (SE ±$109) and $395 (SE ±$452), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Disparities exist in the economic impact of food allergy based on socioeconomic status. Affordable access to specialty care, medications, and allergen-free foods are critical to keep all food-allergic children safe, regardless of income and race.
OBJECTIVES: We compared direct medical costs borne by the health care system and out-of-pocket costs borne by families for children with food allergy by socioeconomic characteristics. METHODS: We analyzed cross-sectional survey data collected between November 2011 and January 2012 from 1643 US caregivers with a food-allergicchild. We used a 2-part regression model to estimate mean costs and identified differences by levels of household income and race or ethnicity. RESULTS:Children in the lowest income stratum incurred 2.5 times the amount of emergency department and hospitalization costs as a result of their food allergy than higher-income children ($1021, SE ±$209, vs $416, SE ±$94; P < .05). Costs incurred for specialist visits were lower in the lowest income group ($228, SE ±$21) compared with the highest income group ($311, SE ±$18; P < .01) as was spending on out-of-pocket medication costs ($117, SE ± $26, lowest income; $366, SE ±$44, highest income; P < .001). African American caregivers incurred the lowest amount of direct medical costs and spent the least on out-of-pocket costs, with average adjusted costs of $493 (SE ±$109) and $395 (SE ±$452), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Disparities exist in the economic impact of food allergy based on socioeconomic status. Affordable access to specialty care, medications, and allergen-free foods are critical to keep all food-allergicchildren safe, regardless of income and race.
Authors: Mahboobeh Mahdavinia; Susan R Fox; Bridget M Smith; Christine James; Erica L Palmisano; Aisha Mohammed; Zeeshan Zahid; Amal H Assa'ad; Mary C Tobin; Ruchi S Gupta Journal: J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract Date: 2016-11-23
Authors: Andrew T Dang; Pavan K Chundi; Nadeem A Mousa; Amanda I Beyer; Somboon Chansakulporn; Carina Venter; Tesfaye B Mersha; Amal H Assa'ad Journal: World Allergy Organ J Date: 2020-02-17 Impact factor: 4.084