African-Americans, Hispanics and uninsured patients use fewer post-hospitalization services, such as home healthcare and rehabilitation, after traumatic injury, suggesting possible health disparities for these patient populations, according to research published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
For their study, researchers examined 2007 data in the National Trauma Data Bank for trauma patients between the ages 18-64. Of the 136,239 patients who met inclusion criteria, more African-American patients (80.5 percent) and Hispanics (86.2 percent) were discharged to their homes than white patients (76.8 percent). In addition, fewer African-American patients (3.2 percent) and Hispanic patients (3.1 percent) were discharged to rehabilitation facilities than white patients (6.0 percent.
Researchers also found notable disparities in care based on insurance status. Hispanic patients were discharged at lower rates to all post-hospital care facilities regardless of whether they had private, public or no insurance, compared with privately insured, non-Hispanic white patients. In addition, privately insured African-American patients were less likely than privately insured white patients to be discharged to home healthcare.
"Population disparities in healthcare have long been recognized, but this study is aimed at helping us comprehend the underlying mechanisms that lead to unequal outcomes among injured patients and demonstrates that race, ethnicity and insurance status do indeed have important associations with post-hospital care after traumatic injury," said Adil Haider, MD, senior author of the study.
For their study, researchers examined 2007 data in the National Trauma Data Bank for trauma patients between the ages 18-64. Of the 136,239 patients who met inclusion criteria, more African-American patients (80.5 percent) and Hispanics (86.2 percent) were discharged to their homes than white patients (76.8 percent). In addition, fewer African-American patients (3.2 percent) and Hispanic patients (3.1 percent) were discharged to rehabilitation facilities than white patients (6.0 percent.
Researchers also found notable disparities in care based on insurance status. Hispanic patients were discharged at lower rates to all post-hospital care facilities regardless of whether they had private, public or no insurance, compared with privately insured, non-Hispanic white patients. In addition, privately insured African-American patients were less likely than privately insured white patients to be discharged to home healthcare.
"Population disparities in healthcare have long been recognized, but this study is aimed at helping us comprehend the underlying mechanisms that lead to unequal outcomes among injured patients and demonstrates that race, ethnicity and insurance status do indeed have important associations with post-hospital care after traumatic injury," said Adil Haider, MD, senior author of the study.
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