Annaliese Pena, Palma Bauman, Peyton Free, Rochelle Brittingham, Dana Holz, Daniel Harris, Tarang Parekh
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Introduction: This study examines healthcare utilization and preventive cardiovascular (CV) health screening among US adults, in 2021-2023 compared to pre-pandemic year 2019, by disability status.
Methods: This repeated cross-sectional analysis conducted in 2024, used data from National Health Interview Survey for years 2019 to 2023, including 150,198 adults. Disabilities were categorized as sensory, cognitive, physical, multiple, or none. Healthcare utilization measures (usual care source, wellness visits, and delayed/unmet care due to cost), and preventive screenings (blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, flu-shot) were analyzed using descriptive methods and Poisson regression, reporting adjusted rate ratios(ARRs) with 95%CIs.
Results: During the COVID-19 pandemic, CV health screening rates decreased across all disability types except sensory disability. Blood pressure screening for adults with cognitive disabilities dropped from 89% in 2019 to 83% in 2021, while blood glucose screening for those with multiple disabilities declined from 83.9% to 78.4%. Cholesterol screenings decreased across all disability types in 2021 but increased among adults with sensory disabilities in 2023 (ARR 1.07, 95%CI: 1.03-1.09). Notably, adults with cognitive (ARR:1.23, 95%CI: 1.03-1.43) and physical (ARR:1.13, 95%CI: 1.01-1.27) disabilities reported higher unmet medical needs due to cost compared to those without disabilities. Such differences persisted even after adjusting for pandemic related socioeconomic changes (income, citizenship, employment, insurance).
Conclusion: U.S. adults with disabilities experienced increased delays in medical care and declines in cardiovascular screenings during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting ongoing disparities in healthcare utilization. These findings underscore the urgent need for public health initiatives to enhance preventive health screening uptake among adults with disabilities.
期刊介绍:
The American Journal of Preventive Medicine is the official journal of the American College of Preventive Medicine and the Association for Prevention Teaching and Research. It publishes articles in the areas of prevention research, teaching, practice and policy. Original research is published on interventions aimed at the prevention of chronic and acute disease and the promotion of individual and community health.
Of particular emphasis are papers that address the primary and secondary prevention of important clinical, behavioral and public health issues such as injury and violence, infectious disease, women''s health, smoking, sedentary behaviors and physical activity, nutrition, diabetes, obesity, and substance use disorders. Papers also address educational initiatives aimed at improving the ability of health professionals to provide effective clinical prevention and public health services. Papers on health services research pertinent to prevention and public health are also published. The journal also publishes official policy statements from the two co-sponsoring organizations, review articles, media reviews, and editorials. Finally, the journal periodically publishes supplements and special theme issues devoted to areas of current interest to the prevention community.