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International Journal for Equity in Health
Published in: International Journal for Equity in Health 1/2013

Open Access 01-12-2013 | Research

Race/Ethnicity, insurance, income and access to care: the influence of health status

Authors: Tze-Fang Wang, Leiyu Shi, Xiaoyu Nie, Jinsheng Zhu

Published in: International Journal for Equity in Health | Issue 1/2013

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Abstract

Objectives

To examine health care access disparities with regard to health status and presence of functional limitations, a common measure of disability and multimorbidity, after controlling for individual’s race/ethnicity, insurance status and income in the U.S. using the latest survey data.

Methods

Using data from the 2009 Family Core component of the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), we examined six measures of access to care in the twelve months prior to the interview. Covariates included self-perceived health status and the presence of functional limitations, race/ethnicity, insurance status, income, and other socioeconomic characteristics. Multiple logistic regressions were used to examine the associations.

Results

People with functional limitations or worse health status experience greater barriers to access. Insurance status was the single factor that was associated with all six measures of access. Disparities among racial/ethnic groups in most access indicators as well as income levels were insignificant after taking into account individuals’ health status measures.

Conclusions

Interventions to expand insurance coverage and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act are expected to contribute to reducing disparities in access to care. However, to further improve access to care, emphasis must be placed on those with poorer health status and functional limitations.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Race/Ethnicity, insurance, income and access to care: the influence of health status
Authors
Tze-Fang Wang
Leiyu Shi
Xiaoyu Nie
Jinsheng Zhu
Publication date
01-12-2013
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
International Journal for Equity in Health / Issue 1/2013
Electronic ISSN: 1475-9276
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-9276-12-29

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