Use of health care utilization as a metric of intervention success may perpetuate racial disparities: An outcome evaluation of a homeless transitional care program.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
Objective
This study explored race-based differences in disease burden, health care utilization, and mortality for Black and White persons experiencing homelessness (PEH) who were referred to a transitional care program, and health care utilization and program outcomes for program participants.Design
This was a quantitative program evaluation.Sample
Black and White PEH referred to a transitional care program (n = 450). We also analyzed data from the subgroup of program participants (N = 122). Of the 450 referrals, 122 participants enrolled in the program.Measures
We included chronic disease burden, mental illness, substance use, health care utilization, and mortality rates for all PEH referred. For program participants, we added 6-month pre/post health care utilization and program outcomes. All results were dichotomized by race.Results
Black PEH who were referred to the program had higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, renal failure, and HIV and similar post-referral mortality rates compared to White PEH. Black and White PEH exhibited similar program outcomes; however, Black PEH revisited the emergency department (ED) less frequently than White PEH at 30 and 90 days after participating in the program.Conclusions
Health care utilization may be a misleading indicator of medical complexity and morbidity among Black PEH. Interventions that rely on health care utilization as an outcome measure may unintentionally contribute to racial disparities.Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Nohria, R; Biederman, DJ; Sloane, R; Thibault, A
Published Date
- November 2022
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 39 / 6
Start / End Page
- 1271 - 1279
PubMed ID
- 35899908
Pubmed Central ID
- PMC9796003
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1525-1446
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0737-1209
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1111/phn.13121
Language
- eng