4113.0: Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - Board 7

Abstract #22795

Lack of health insurance among persons aged 18-64 years: State-specific trends from 1992-1999

Jaya K. Rao, MD, MHS1, David E. Nelson, MD, MPH2, Shayne Bland, MS, Julie Bolen, PhD4, and Suzanne M. Smith, MD, MPH1. (1) Health Care and Aging Studies Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, NE, MS K-45, Atlanta, GA 30341, 770-488-5091, JGR6@CDC.GOV, (2) National Cancer Institute, (3) NCCDPHP/DACH/BSD, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, MS K-47, Atlanta, GA 30341

National data suggest that the overall prevalence of uninsurance remained constant or increased slightly during the 1990s. Policies and programs to address the uninsured problem vary among the states and national data often do not adequately describe trends for individual states. While Current Population Survey (CPS) data from the Census Bureau demonstrate that uninsurance rates vary widely among states, CPS annual sample sizes are too small to allow for detailed trend analyses.

We analyzed 1992-1999 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data to examine state trends in uninsurance among persons aged 18-64 years. We used weighted least squares multiple linear regression models that controlled for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and education. The overall prevalence of uninsurance was unchanged in 36 states, increased in 4 states (Alabama, Alaska, Indiana, and Pennsylvania), and declined in 9 states (Arizona, Delaware, Massachussetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Oregon, Tennessee, and Washington State). Using regression models restricted to persons aged 50-64 years, we found that uninsurance was unchanged in 30 states, declined in 2 states (Arizona and Oregon) and increased in 17 states.

Additional state-specific trends for uninsurance stratified by other age groups, sex, race/ethnicity, employment status (i.e., employed for wages, self-employed, unemployed), and income will be presented, as will correlations of overall findings with other characteristics thought to influence health insurance status. Implications of these data for state and national policies and programs on uninsurance will be described.

Learning Objectives: 1) Describe the overall state-specific trends in uninsurance for persons aged 18-64 years. 2) Recognize state-specific trends for selected demographic groups within states and the implications of these trends for policies and programs.

Keywords: Access to Health Care, Health Insurance

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.

The 129th Annual Meeting of APHA