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National Healthcare Disparities Report, 2003

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Racial and Ethnic Differences in Structural Barriers

Measure Racial Difference[1] Ethnic Difference[2]
  Black Asian NHOPI AI/AN >1 Race NHB Hispanic
Difficulty Getting Care
People who usually use public transportation to get to provider[3] Selected population has worse access than the comparison population Data are collected but do not meet criteria for statistical reliability3 Data are collected but do not meet criteria for statistical reliability   Selected population has worse access than the comparison population Selected population has worse access than the comparison population
People with provider who has office hours nights or weekends3 Selected population and comparison population have about the same access to health care Selected population has better access than the comparison population3 Selected population and comparison population have about the same access to health care   Selected population and comparison population have about the same access to health care Selected population and comparison population have about the same access to health care
People with difficulty getting appointments on short notice3 Selected population and comparison population have about the same access to health care Selected population and comparison population have about the same access to health care3 Selected population has worse access than the comparison population   Selected population and comparison population have about the same access to health care Selected population and comparison population have about the same access to health care
People with difficulty contacting provider over the telephone3 Selected population has better access than the comparison population Selected population and comparison population have about the same access to health care3 Selected population and comparison population have about the same access to health care   Selected population and comparison population have about the same access to health care Selected population has worse access than the comparison population
Adults without problems getting referral to a specialist in past year[4] Selected population has worse access than the comparison population Data are collected but do not meet criteria for statistical reliability4 Data are collected but do not meet criteria for statistical reliability   Selected population has worse access than the comparison population Selected population has worse access than the comparison population
People not very satisfied with professional staff at provider's office3 Selected population and comparison population have about the same access to health care Selected population has worse access than the comparison population3 Selected population and comparison population have about the same access to health care   Selected population and comparison population have about the same access to health care Selected population has worse access than the comparison population
People who usually wait >30 minutes before seeing provider3 Selected population has worse access than the comparison population Selected population and comparison population have about the same access to health care3 Data are collected but do not meet criteria for statistical reliability   Selected population has worse access than the comparison population Selected population has worse access than the comparison population
Emergent/urgent emergency department visits with wait >=1 hour[5] Selected population and comparison population have about the same access to health care Selected population and comparison population have about the same access to health care4 Data are collected but do not meet criteria for statistical reliability      
Semi-urgent/non-urgent emergency department visits with wait >=1 hour4 Selected population has worse access than the comparison population Selected population and comparison population have about the same access to health care4 Data are collected but do not meet criteria for statistical reliability      
Emergency department visits in which the patient left without being seen4 Selected population has worse access than the comparison population Data are collected but do not meet criteria for statistical reliability4 Data are collected but do not meet criteria for statistical reliability      
Key to Quality of Health Care Tables
Selected population and comparison population have about the same access to health care: Selected population and comparison population have about the same access to health care
Selected population has better access than the comparison population: Selected population has better access than the comparison population
Selected population has worse access than the comparison population: Selected population has worse access than the comparison population
Data are collected but do not meet criteria for statistical reliability: Data are collected but do not meet criteria for statistical reliability

[1] Compared with whites.

[2] Compared with non-Hispanic whites.

[3] Source: MEPS, 1999. This source did not collect information on Asians and NHOPIs separately but in aggregate as Asian or Pacific Islander. This source did not collect information for >1 race.

[4] Source: MEPS, 2000. This source did not collect information on Asians and NHOPIs separately but in aggregate as Asian or Pacific Islander. This source did not collect information for >1 race.

[5] Source: NHAMCS-ED, 2000. This source did not collect information on Asians and NHOPIs separately. This source did not collect information for >1 race or about income or education. Missing rates preclude analysis by ethnicity. Insurance contrast compares uninsured with persons with any private insurance including all ages.

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