Hispanics are the third largest racial/ethnic group in the United States, after non-Hispanic whites and African Americans comprising 11 percent of the population in 1997. They are also one of the fastest growing subgroups. It is estimated Hispanics will make up 14 percent of the US population in 2010, and 25 percent by the year 2050. It appears that despite health promotion and disease prevention intervention that have improved the overall health of the American population, Hispanics have not benefited equally from these advances.
The study will use the 1996 Health Care Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Database merged with the American Hospital Association Annual Survey of Hospitals, and census data to examine the differences in utilization of diagnostic and therapeutic health services between Hispanics and whites in three states, California, New York, and Florida. Focus groups involving physicians will be conducted to qualitatively determine why disparities exist. The research is being performed through a collaboration between physician researchers at Cornell Medical Center and social scientist health services researchers from the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. A Hispanic Physician Advisory/Collaboration Network will be convened to provide feedback on the research findings.
Learning Objectives: 1. Discussing the differences in utilization of diagnostic and therapeutic health services between Hispanics and whites in three states, Calfornia, New York, and Florida
Keywords: Hispanic, Utilization
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Hispanic Serving Institutions
Hispanic health organizations
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.