RWJF/AHIP Study Finds Progress in Gathering Data on Race and Ethnicity
Needed to Ensure Minorities Get Recommended Standard of Care But Challenges
Remain
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Americans receive health care
services that are in sync with the latest scientific evidence only about
half the time. Studies also find that racial and ethnic minorities in the
U.S. receive a lower quality of care than non-minorities and are at greater
risk for certain diseases. There is widespread agreement that data are
fundamental building blocks to identifying differences in the care
experienced by specific populations, to developing programs to address
differences, and to ensuring a higher standard of care.
According to a new study released today by the Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation (RWJF) and America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), two-thirds
of consumers receive their coverage from an organization that collects data
on the race and ethnicity of members, up from just over half three years
ago. Prior to an original 2003 survey, national studies had identified very
few providers or institutions that were addressing disparities in care
using a data-driven, quality improvement approach.
"We need to ensure that all patients - regardless of race and ethnicity
- receive high-quality health care," said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, M.D.,
M.B.A., RWJF president and CEO. "Collecting data by patient race and
ethnicity is an essential step, because it allows us to identify
disparities in quality of care and design solutions to address them. Health
insurers have a key role to play in this effort and this survey shows that
progress is being made."
Forty-two percent of the companies that collect data on race and
ethnicity report identifying disparities, including differences in
treatment of chronic conditions, lack of medication adherence, and
differences in prevalence of chronic conditions. AHIP is now building an
on-line clearinghouse of approaches that work to reduce such disparities.
"Our members are taking on the challenge of health care disparities,"
said AHIP President and CEO Karen Ignagni. "AHIP intends to serve as a hub
for exchanging information on what is working to overcome gaps in care
experienced by minorities in our health care system," she said.
Under an RWJF grant, AHIP conducted follow-up to the 2003 work to
assess the extent to which plans collect and use data on race and
ethnicity, examine trends and emerging issues, and highlight barriers to
data collection. The survey, which included companies that provide coverage
to employer groups as well as those that provide coverage to Medicare and
Medicaid beneficiaries, elicited responses from 156 plans out of a total of
260 plans surveyed. Companies that responded represent 87 million members.
Companies report collecting data on race and ethnicity of members to
support language and culturally appropriate communications, identify
disparities in health care and health, and implement or strengthen quality
improvements efforts. Collecting data on the primary language of enrollees
also allows plans to determine the need for translation of materials and
interpreter services, and to ensure the network of providers speaking
enrollees' language is adequate.
While the new RWJF/AHIP study suggests significant progress, companies
continue to cite barriers to data collection, especially concerns about the
perceptions of members and local communities, difficulties in obtaining
reliable data, and questions about limitations that may exist in state law
or regulation.
Following the 2003 survey, AHIP conducted seminars around the country
for health care organizations interested in taking the first steps to using
data as the foundation for quality improvement, and subsequently published
a tool kit, available on-line, called "Data as Building Blocks for Change."
While data are fundamental to quality improvement, a challenge to the
entire health care system is to employ what the Institute of Medicine's
2002 report, Unequal Treatment, called "a comprehensive, multi-level
strategy" to eliminate disparities.
Thus, AHIP's ongoing initiative, "Addressing Disparities in Health,"
includes an on-line, continuing medical education course that provides
physicians with the tools and skills to communicate more effectively with
patients from diverse backgrounds, and an on-line compendium of
communications resources available to organizations that are engaged in
efforts to improve care for our nation's culturally and racially diverse
populations.
But collecting data on the populations an insurer serves is an
essential step to addressing gaps in care often experienced by racial and
ethnic minorities in the U.S. According to the RWJF/AHIP surveys, data are
provided on a voluntary basis at various points of access, including the
time of enrollment in the insurance plan, at enrollment in a specialized
program for an individual with chronic disease, and/or after enrollment.
A complete analysis of the study is at http://www.ahip.org.
America's Health Insurance Plans - Providing Health Benefits to More
Than 200 Million Americans
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and
health care issues facing our country. As the nation's largest philanthropy
devoted exclusively to improving the health and health care of all
Americans, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and
individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, meaningful and
timely change. For more than 30 years the Foundation has brought
experience, commitment, and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems
that affect the health and health care of those it serves. When it comes to
helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, the
Foundation expects to make a difference in your lifetime. For more
information, visit http://www.rwjf.org.
SOURCE America's Health Insurance Plans
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Related links:
http://www.ahip.org
http://www.rwjf.org
CONTACT:
Susan Pisano of AHIP, +1-202-778-3245; or
Andrea Daitz of RWJF, +1-609-627-5937
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