Disparities

ATI Advisory, in collaboration with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, recently released three deliverables as part of their project to address equity in access to long-term services and supports (LTSS). This work has benefited greatly from the contributions of key stakeholders across 30+ unique engagements, including interviews, roundtables, and focus groups. The perspectives, insights, and experiences shared by these individuals were instrumental in the development of the project's findings and helped identify challenges experienced by individuals from historically marginalized communities in accessing LTSS....

Mathematica has published a report examining the potential impact of the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program (DPNP) on out-of-pocket spending for different groups of Medicare Part D enrollees. By simulating the DPNP process, Mathematica estimated what ceiling prices and out-of-pocket expenses on the 10 highest-expenditure drugs would have been in 2021, the most recent year for which complete Part D data were available. The report examines the disparities in reduced out-of-pocket spending among various racial, ethnic, and beneficiary groups, focusing on the differential impact of the DPNP policies....

August marks National Immunization Awareness Month, and during this time, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) are emphasizing the significance of immunizations in protecting individuals from a range of diseases. Despite vaccination recommendations, disparities persist in immunization rates, particularly among minority populations due to access and historical factors. Efforts to improve these rates involve addressing social and health inequities, supported by initiatives such as the Inflation Reduction Act that bolster coverage and affordability of vaccines. In an effort to improve vaccine accessibility and uptake, CMS OMH has launched the “National Immunization Awareness Month” webpage...

As people age, the risk of neurodegenerative disease increases. This new report from the Milken Institute looks at how we can combat both the risk and cost of dementia. It is structured around five key goals. The report provides actionable recommendations around these goals along with updated data and analysis.

The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is an ongoing state-based, random-digit-dialed telephone survey of noninstitutionalized U.S. adults. The 2016 BRFSS survey included questions about six disability types; hearing, vision, cognition, mobility, self-care, and independent living. One in four (61 million) U.S. adults reported a disability. Disability-specific disparities in health care access were prevalent, particularly among young and middle-aged adults.

The National Council on Disability released a new report on implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and disabilities. This is the first of three reports on the subject. While the Affordable Care Act is a significant piece of legislation, people with disabilities were largely left outside of the policy conversation. This report is meant to serve as a "roadmap" for people with disabilities and how it will affect them depending on how it is implemented.

This is a report on the lifelong disparities that exist among older American Indian (AI) and Alaska Native (AN) populations when compared to the general United States population of older adults. The report includes a definition of who falls into the category of American Indian, identifies where these populations generally live in the U.S., and compares AI/ANs generally with the rest of the population of older adults and also specifically compares health coverage.