Quality of Diabetes Care Among Recent Immigrants to the USA. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2019 Jun;6(3):457-462
Date
11/16/2018Pubmed ID
30430462Pubmed Central ID
PMC6500477DOI
10.1007/s40615-018-00542-zScopus ID
2-s2.0-85056737262 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 5 CitationsAbstract
BACKGROUND: This study investigated the relationship between immigration status and quality of care for patients with diabetes.
METHODS: We used the Medical Expenditure Panel (MEPS) dataset between 2002 and 2011 to examine the association between quality of care and immigration status. Quality of care was measured by report of dilated eye exam, foot exam, A1C test, an annual doctor's visit, and having blood pressure checked. Immigration status was defined as US born, non-US born but living in the USA for less than 15 years, and non-US born but living in the USA for more than 15 years. Bivariate analyses were used to compare receiving quality of care and immigration status. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine the association of immigration status with quality of care, adjusting for demographic and medical variables.
RESULTS: Bivariate analyses showed significant differences for all quality of care measures compared to immigration status. However, after adjusting for sociodemographic factors and comorbidities, the only quality of care measures that were significantly associated with immigration status was having blood pressure checked (OR = 0.37 for < 15 years and 0.90 for > 15 years compared to US born, p < 0.001) and having dilated eye exam (OR = 0.77 for < 15 years and 0.89 for > 15 years compared to US born, p = 0.046).
CONCLUSIONS: After adjustment for socioeconomic and comorbidity factors, blood pressure testing and dilated eye exams were the only measures significantly associated with immigration status. The highest risk was in the first 15 years after entering the USA and should be a target for interventions.
Author List
Srivastava R, Bishu KG, Walker RJ, Williams JS, Egede LEAuthor
Joni Williams MD, MPH Center Director, Associate Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentAdult
Aged
Diabetes Mellitus
Emigrants and Immigrants
Female
Health Services Accessibility
Healthcare Disparities
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Quality of Health Care
Time
United States
Young Adult
