Disparities in health care utilization by race among teenagers and young adults with muscular dystrophy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

For people with muscular dystrophy (MD) health care access is crucial and utilization is expected to be high. A multidisciplinary approach is needed for optimal management of symptoms of this rare condition. Regular primary care, specialty care, therapy, and medicine use can improve quality of care and reduce need for emergency treatment and hospitalization. We analyzed health insurance and administrative data to test for racial disparities in regular care use among teenagers and young adults with MD.

Methods

We used South Carolina Medicaid and other administrative data for individuals aged 15-24 years to determine annual health care utilization patterns for individuals with MD by race. We studied adolescents and young adults with MD because this age group represe

SUBMITTER: Ozturk OD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4630026 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature