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Tyrone Borders, PhD, Health Services Research, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4th St., MS 8161, Lubbock, TX 79430, 806-743-6984, tyrone.borders@ttuhsc.edu
The purpose of this study was to determine if there were Hispanic and non-Hispanic disparities in reports of eight dimensions of health care access among community-dwelling elders residing in the 99 rural and frontier counties comprising West Texas. Reports of the ability to obtain medical care and to obtain it quickly as well as demographic, economic, and health status factors were collected through a telephone survey of approximately 2,100 Hispanic and non-Hispanic whites age 65 and older. Univariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to test for Hispanic/non-Hispanic white differences. Next, multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine if any differences persisted after controlling for predisposing, enabling, and need factors. Four reports of access differed by ethnicity in the univariate analyses. Only two disparities remained after controlling for other potential confounders: Hispanics had worse reports of their ability to see a doctor/nurse for 1) illness or injury as soon as they wanted to and 2) for routine care as soon as they wanted to. Rural medical care providers may need to directly target Hispanics to improve their timely access to acute and routine care. Strategies may include expanding office hours or transportation services. Health policy makers should consider expanding health insurance benefits to improve the accessibility of personal doctors and specialists among Hispanics and non-Hispanic rural elders alike.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Access to Health Care, Hispanic
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.