Health Disparities

The 10th edition of the Senior Report examines 62 measures from 21 unique sources to provide a comprehensive look at the health and well-being of older Americans. The data demonstrate: Trends that reflect the changing health of our nation’s 65 and older population over the past decade. The impact that social, economic, environmental and other factors have on the health of older Americans. Disparities in health among older Americans by geography, education level, income level, gender, age and race and ethnicity.

The peer-reviewed healthcare journal, Health Affairs, has dedicated its February issue to the topic of racism and health. Google and Twitter have flagged racism as "sensitive content" and are blocking Health Affairs' paid media advertisements to promote the content. This article by Becker's Hospital Review discusses censorship of racial and ethnic issues and explains why sharing facts about health disaparites is important on these digital platforms.

The Rehabilitation Research Training Center (RRTC) on home and community-based services (HCBS) recently shared their Spring 2021 newsletter titled HCBS Quality Matters. The newsletter provides an inside look at the RRTC’s work and the HCBS studies on which they collaborate. The Spring 2021 edition highlights the needs of people with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) and includes stories on health disparities, employment, and person-centered planning.

This report analyzes disparities in the care received by Medicare Advantage beneficiaries during 2015-2016. The report was compiled using information from the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) and the Medicare Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) survey. It looks at differences in care by race, ethnicity, and gender and also isolates racial and ethnic differences experienced by women and men.