Data collection on mortality and morbidity show health disparities for Latinos and other minorities across a number of categories. These health disparities have been largely attributed to lack of health insurance, and the resulting lack of access to regular health care services. As large numbers of Latinos have been incorporated into publicly funded health insurance programs, questions remain as to whether health disparities persist between white and minority Medicaid consumers, and between Medicaid consumers and commercially insured populations. This study examined empirical quality of care indicators and conducted focus groups and individual interviews to understand barriers and issues for Latino consumers in their interactions with the health care system once they had access to a high quality insurance program. This paper focuses on adult consumers with high cost and complicated to manage diseases: HIV/AIDS and diabetes. Twelve focus groups and 21 individual interviews were conducted in several geographic locations in a New England state where Latinos represented the largest minority of non-white enrollees in the Medicaid program. Participants identified issues such as problems obtaining medications, complications with continuity of care, use of folk remedies, and personal theories about when to seek care and how to manage their conditions, while at the same time many consumers were quite sophisticated in their knowledge and management of their condition. The findings suggest policy changes that may assist in better treatment and management of chronic conditions that can result in both cost savings to public health insurance programs and better consumer outcomes.
Learning Objectives: 1. Participants will be able to identify common barriers for Latino Medicaid consumers who are managing chronic illnesses such as diabetes or HIV/AIDS. 2. Participants will be able to design policies that assist consumers in better management of chronic diseases.
Keywords: Minority Health, Chronic Diseases
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
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.