Diversity and Health Research Briefs
2011
Why Are Many Emergency Departments in the United States Closing? — 2011
Between 1990 and 2009, the number of emergency rooms (ERs) in nonrural U.S. hospitals declined by 27 percent (from 2,446 to 1,779). Economic factors play a central role in an ER's ability to remain open.
2009
Assessing Parolees' Health Care Needs and Potential Access to Health Care Services in California — 2009
California parolees' health care, mental health care, and drug- and alcohol-treatment needs, as well as where parolees go when they return to counties, place significant demands on counties' safety-net resources and on their ability meet those needs.
Children's Health in Washington, D.C.: Access and Health Challenges Despite High Insurance Coverage Rates — 2009
Assesses children's health issues in Washington, D.C., including the health care delivery system and neighborhood health environments.
The Socioeconomic, Health, Safety, and Education Disparities Faced by Boys and Men of Color in California — 2009
Discusses the large disparities between boys and men of color in California compared with their white counterparts across four broad domains -- socioeconomic, health, safety, and ready to learn.
2008
Constrained Choice: Why Are Some Women and Men Able To Create and Maintain Healthy Lifestyles, While Others Are Not? — 2008
This fact sheet describes a model of constrained choice that explains how policy decisions at the family, work, community, and government levels can have unintended consequences that ultimately produce differences in men's and women's health.
Do Neighborhood Economic Conditions Influence the Consumption of Fruits and Vegetables? — 2008
This fact sheet summarizes a study examining the variation of the intake of fruits and vegetables for blacks, whites, and Mexican Americans, in addition to the relationship between neighborhood socioeconomic status and this intake.
Immigrants and Health Care: A Complex Picture — 2008
This fact sheet describes the diverse health care needs of immigrant populations and specifies needs that health policies can target.
Out of the Ivory Tower, Into the Real World: Examples of Street-Smart Community Health Research — 2008
Discusses the potential of community-based participatory research (CBPR) to reduce the burden of chronic health problems on poor and minority neighborhoods and describes three successful CBPR programs.
2006
Disparities in Care for HIV Patients: Results of the HCSUS Study — 2006
This research brief summarizes the findings on access to care from the HIV Costs and Services Utilization Study (HCSUS), the first comprehensive U.S. survey of health care use among a nationally representative sample of HIV-positive patients.
Improving Access to Needed Health Care Improves Low-Income Children’s Quality of Life — 2006
This research brief describes an examination of the effect of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) on children's access to needed health services and on their quality of life.
The Public Spends Little to Provide Health Care for Undocumented Immigrants — 2006
This fact sheet summarizes an article on the health care costs of immigrants.
Triple Jeopardy for Vulnerable Children: Greater Health Needs, Less Access, Poorer Primary Care — 2006
This research brief summarizes an analysis of data from a nationwide survey to determine why children eligible to be in the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) are not enrolled.
2005
Do Cardiologists Perceive Racial or Ethnic Disparities in the Treatment of Heart Patients? Results of A RAND Survey — 2005
This research brief summarizes results showing that nearly 70 percent of doctors surveyed attributed racial or ethnic disparities in heart patient treatment to differences in insurance status or other patient factors.
Does Neighborhood Deterioration Lead to Poor Health? — 2005
This research brief summarizes research findings indicating that neighborhood deterioration is associated with poorer health; however, collective efficacy is associated with lower rates of disease and other markers of poor health.
2000
Access to HIV Care: Initial Results from the HIV Cost and Services Utilization Study — 2000
The first study to demonstrate systemic, socioeconomic differences in access to HIV care across all regions of America.
Are People With Mental Illness Getting the Help They Need? New Findings About Parity Laws, Insurance Coverage, and Access to Care — 2000
In recent years, concerns about the adequacy of insurance benefits and quality of care for individuals with mental illness have led the majority of states and the federal government to require equal coverage for both mental health and medical conditions.
Extending Health Care Insurance to Specific Populations: Profile of RAND Work — 2000
In a series of studies, we have assessed the cost and consequences of various approaches to providing coverage for these groups (children, employees in small businesses, substance abusers, the uninsured, and the near-elderly).
Health Care Coverage for the Nation's Uninsured: Can We Get to Universal Coverage? — 2000
States vary substantially in the number of uninsured residents and in their population's health and access to care. As a consequence, effects of policies will vary across states. Many states may need federal assistance to expand access.
1999
Caring for HIV Patients: Good News and Bad News — 1999
The bad news, however, is that one-half to two-thirds of American adults infected with HIV do not get regular care, and even fewer receive the most advanced anti-HIV therapy.
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