Evaluating area-based socioeconomic status indicators for monitoring disparities within health care systems: results from a primary care network.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To determine which area-based socioeconomic status (SES) indicator is best suited to monitor health care disparities from a delivery system perspective.

Data sources/study setting

142,659 adults seen in a primary care network from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2011.

Study design

Cross-sectional, comparing associations between area-based SES indicators and patient outcomes.

Data collection

Address data were geocoded to construct area-based SES indicators at block group (BG), census tract (CT), and ZIP code (ZIP) levels. Data on health outcomes were abstracted from electronic records. Relative indices of inequality (RIIs) were calculated to quantify disparities detected by area-based SES indicators and compared to RIIs from self-reported educational a

SUBMITTER: Berkowitz SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4369215 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature