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Wen X, Qiu H, Yu B, Bi J, Gu X, Zhang Y, Wang S. Cost-related medication nonadherence in adults with COPD in the United States 2013-2020. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:864. [PMID: 38509510 PMCID: PMC10956194 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18333-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cost-related medication nonadherence (CRN) is associated with poor prognosis among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a population that requires long-term treatment for secondary prevention. In this study, we aimed to estimate the prevalence and sociodemographic characteristics of CRN in individuals with COPD in the US. METHODS In a nationally representative survey of US adults in the National Health Interview Survey (2013-2020), we identified individuals aged ≥18 years with a self-reported history of COPD. Cross-sectional study. RESULTS Of the 15,928 surveyed individuals, a weighted 18.56% (2.39 million) reported experiencing CRN, including 12.50% (1.61 million) missing doses, 13.30% (1.72 million) taking lower than prescribed doses, and 15.74% (2.03 million) delaying filling prescriptions to save costs. Factors including age < 65 years, female sex, low family income, lack of health insurance, and multimorbidity were associated with CRN. CONCLUSIONS In the US, one in six adults with COPD reported CRN. The influencing factors of CRN are multifaceted and necessitating more rigorous research. Targeted interventions based on the identified influencing factors in this study are recommended to enhance medication adherence among COPD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jiamusi University, 258 Xuefu Road, Xiangyang District, Jiamusi, 154007, China
| | - Hongbin Qiu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jiamusi University, 258 Xuefu Road, Xiangyang District, Jiamusi, 154007, China
| | - Bo Yu
- Department of Cardiology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 246 Xuefu Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150086, China
- The Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Chinese Ministry of Education; National Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases, Harbin, China
| | - Jinfeng Bi
- Department of Respiratory, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xia Gu
- Department of Cardiology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 246 Xuefu Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150086, China
- The Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Chinese Ministry of Education; National Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases, Harbin, China
| | - Yiying Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jiamusi University, 258 Xuefu Road, Xiangyang District, Jiamusi, 154007, China.
| | - Shanjie Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 246 Xuefu Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150086, China.
- The Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Chinese Ministry of Education; National Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases, Harbin, China.
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Maldonado-Puebla M, Akenroye A, Busby J, Cardet JC, Louisias M. Pharmacoequity in Allergy-Immunology: Disparities in Access to Medications for Allergic Diseases and Proposed Solutions in the United States and Globally. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY. IN PRACTICE 2024; 12:272-280. [PMID: 37951413 PMCID: PMC10922722 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2023.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Pharmacoequity is the principle that individuals should have access to high-quality medications regardless of race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or availability of resources. In this review, we summarize access to therapeutics for allergic diseases in the United States and other selected countries. We focus on domains of health care access (health insurance coverage, medication availability, and specialist access) as well as system-level factors and clinician- and patient-level factors such as interpersonal racism and cultural beliefs, and how they can affect timely access to appropriate therapy for allergic diseases. Finally, we propose how pharmacoequity in allergy-immunology can be achieved by highlighting solutions to factors limiting access to medications for allergic diseases, and identify potential future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Maldonado-Puebla
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Fla
| | - Ayobami Akenroye
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Mass; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | - John Busby
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, (f)Department of Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | - Juan Carlos Cardet
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Fla
| | - Margee Louisias
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Mass; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
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3
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Tyree DJ, Brothers MC, Sim D, Flory L, Tomb M, Strayer K, Jung A, Lee J, Land C, Guess B, Chancellor C, Zelasko J, Alvarado RL, Pitsch RL, Harshman SW, Regn D, Medvedev IR, Kim SS. Detection of Asthma Inhaler Use via Terahertz Spectroscopy. ACS Sens 2023; 8:610-618. [PMID: 36657059 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.2c01795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Inhaled medications are commonplace for administering bronchodilators, anticholinergics, and corticosteroids. While they have a defined legitimate use, they are also used in sporting events as performance-enhancing drugs. These performance enhancers can be acquired via both legal (i.e., at a pharmacy through over-the-counter medications or through a prescription) and illicit (i.e., black market and foreign pharmacies) means, thus making monitoring procurement impossible. While urine tests can detect these pharmacological agents hours after they have been inhaled, there is a significant lag time before they are observed in urine. Direct detection of these inhaled agents is complicated and requires a multiplexed approach due to the sheer number of inhaled pharmacological agents. Therefore, detection of propellants, which carry the drug into the lungs, provides a simpler path forward toward detection of broad pharmacological agents. In this paper, we demonstrate the first use of terahertz spectroscopy (THz) to detect inhaled medications in human subjects. Notably, we were able to detect and quantitate the propellant, HFA-134a, in breath up to 30 min after using an asthma inhaler, enabling the use of a point-of-care device to monitor exhaled breath for the presence of propellants. We also demonstrate via simulations that the same approach can be leveraged to detect and identify next-generation propellants, specifically HFA-152a. As a result, we provide evidence that a single point-of-care THz sensor can detect when individuals have used pressure-mediated dose inhalers (pMDIs) without further modification of the hardware.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Tyree
- 711th Human Performance Wing, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio 45433, United States.,Department of Physics, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio 45435, United States
| | - Michael C Brothers
- 711th Human Performance Wing, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio 45433, United States.,UES Inc. Dayton, Ohio 45432, United States
| | - Daniel Sim
- 711th Human Performance Wing, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio 45433, United States.,UES Inc. Dayton, Ohio 45432, United States
| | - Laura Flory
- 711th Human Performance Wing, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio 45433, United States.,UES Inc. Dayton, Ohio 45432, United States
| | - Miranda Tomb
- United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio 45433, United States
| | - Kraig Strayer
- 711th Human Performance Wing, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio 45433, United States.,UES Inc. Dayton, Ohio 45432, United States
| | - Anne Jung
- 711th Human Performance Wing, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio 45433, United States.,UES Inc. Dayton, Ohio 45432, United States
| | - Jaehwan Lee
- 711th Human Performance Wing, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio 45433, United States
| | - Christopher Land
- 711th Human Performance Wing, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio 45433, United States
| | - Barlow Guess
- 711th Human Performance Wing, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio 45433, United States
| | - Cody Chancellor
- United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio 45433, United States
| | - Jeremy Zelasko
- United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio 45433, United States
| | - Rosa Linda Alvarado
- United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio 45433, United States
| | - Rhonda L Pitsch
- 711th Human Performance Wing, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio 45433, United States
| | - Sean W Harshman
- 711th Human Performance Wing, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio 45433, United States
| | - Dara Regn
- United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio 45433, United States
| | - Ivan R Medvedev
- Department of Physics, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio 45435, United States
| | - Steve S Kim
- 711th Human Performance Wing, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio 45433, United States
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Duan KI, Birger M, Au DH, Spece LJ, Feemster LC, Dieleman JL. Health Care Spending on Respiratory Diseases in the United States, 1996-2016. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2023; 207:183-192. [PMID: 35997678 PMCID: PMC9893322 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.202202-0294oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Respiratory conditions account for a large proportion of health care spending in the United States. A full characterization of spending across multiple conditions and over time has not been performed. Objectives: To estimate health care spending in the United States for 11 respiratory conditions from 1996 to 2016, providing detailed trends and an evaluation of factors associated with spending growth. Methods: We extracted data from the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation's Disease Expenditure Project Database, producing annual estimates in spending for 38 age and sex groups, 7 types of care, and 3 payer types. We performed a decomposition analysis to estimate the change in spending associated with changes in each of five factors (population growth, population aging, disease prevalence, service usage, and service price and intensity). Measurements and Main Results: Total spending across all respiratory conditions in 2016 was $170.8 billion (95% confidence interval [CI], $164.2-179.2 billion), increasing by $71.7 billion (95% CI, $63.2-80.8 billion) from 1996. The respiratory conditions with the highest spending in 2016 were asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, contributing $35.5 billion (95% CI, $32.4-38.2 billion) and $34.3 billion (95% CI, $31.5-37.3 billion), respectively. Increasing service price and intensity were associated with 81.4% (95% CI, 70.3-93.0%) growth from 1996 to 2016. Conclusions: U.S. spending on respiratory conditions is high, particularly for chronic conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Our findings suggest that service price and intensity, particularly for pharmaceuticals, should be a key focus of attention for policymakers seeking to reduce health care spending growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin I Duan
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine
- Center of Innovation for Veteran-centered and Value-driven Care, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - David H Au
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine
- Center of Innovation for Veteran-centered and Value-driven Care, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington
| | - Laura J Spece
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine
- Center of Innovation for Veteran-centered and Value-driven Care, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington
| | - Laura C Feemster
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine
- Center of Innovation for Veteran-centered and Value-driven Care, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington
| | - Joseph L Dieleman
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; and
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Gilkey MB, Kong WY, Kennedy KL, Heisler-MacKinnon J, Faugno E, Gwinn B, Wu AC, Loughlin CE, Galbraith AA. Leveraging Telemedicine to Reduce the Financial Burden of Asthma Care. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY. IN PRACTICE 2022; 10:2536-2542. [PMID: 35644331 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2022.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
One of the most compelling arguments for telemedicine is its potential to increase health care access by making care more affordable for patients and families, including those affected by asthma. This goal is critically important in the United States, where the high cost of asthma care is associated with nonadherence to preventive care regimens and suboptimal health outcomes. In this clinical commentary review, we draw from the literature and our own research to identify opportunities for and challenges to leveraging telemedicine to reduce the financial burden of asthma care. Our interviews with 42 families affected by asthma during the COVID-19 pandemic suggest that under favorable circumstances, telemedicine can meaningfully reduce costs, including those related to transportation and missed work, while offering high-quality care. However, families also identified ways in which telemedicine can increase costs. For example, some reported reduced access to support services and material resources such as medication samples, which they relied on to manage costs. In this way, our findings underscore the need for careful care coordination and communication in telemedicine. We conclude by discussing the 4Rs, a structured communication approach designed to support cost conversations, increase care coordination, and help families reduce asthma care cost burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa B Gilkey
- Department of Health Behavior, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
| | - Wei Yi Kong
- Department of Health Behavior, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Kathryn L Kennedy
- Department of Health Behavior, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | | | - Elena Faugno
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - Barbara Gwinn
- NC Children's Allergy and Asthma Center, UNC Health, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Ann Chen Wu
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - Ceila E Loughlin
- NC Children's Allergy and Asthma Center, UNC Health, Chapel Hill, NC; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pulmonology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Alison A Galbraith
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
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6
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Gilbert I, Aslam Mahmood A, Devane K, Tan L. Association of Nonmedical Switches in Inhaled Respiratory Medications with Disruptions in Care: A Retrospective Prescription Claims Database Analysis. Pulm Ther 2021; 7:189-201. [PMID: 33713011 PMCID: PMC8137790 DOI: 10.1007/s41030-021-00147-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction There are limited data on the effects of forced medication switching for a nonmedical reason in patients with obstructive airway conditions. This study evaluated disruption in care resulting from a nonmedical medication switch for patients with asthma and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who previously received the inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting β2-agonist budesonide/formoterol. Methods This retrospective pharmacy benefit prescription claims analysis evaluated Medicare Part D patients who filled a prescription for budesonide/formoterol as their last inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting β2-agonist in 2016 and were affected by a formulary block of budesonide/formoterol in 2017. Changes to respiratory maintenance therapy, length of gaps in care during which a patient was not in possession of a respiratory controller medication, acute medication use indicative of disease exacerbations, and medication adherence were assessed. Results A total of 42,553 patients were included in the analysis. Following the formulary block, 30,016 patients (71%) switched to another controller; 20,628 of these patients (69%) switched to a new inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting β2-agonist, 7081 (23%) stepped down to a monotherapy, and 2307 (8%) switched to a non-inhaled corticosteroid-containing controller. Despite the formulary block, 22,903 patients (54%) attempted to fill budesonide/formoterol as their first postblock controller, and 6624 patients (16%) attempted to return to budesonide/formoterol after switching to another controller. On average, patients experienced a gap in care of approximately 4 months without a controller medication. Also, 9674 (23%) did not fill any controller over the 1-year postblock period. Of those patients who experienced a gap in care, 14,926 (47%) filled a prescription indicative of a possible exacerbation during the gap period (i.e., oral corticosteroids for patients with asthma and oral corticosteroids and/or antibiotics for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Conclusions The Medicare Part D formulary block was associated with disruption in the management of patients’ respiratory conditions and may have adversely impacted disease control. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s41030-021-00147-8.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Laren Tan
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Hyperbaric, Allergy and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University Health, Loma Linda, CA, USA
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Calzetta L, Aiello M, Frizzelli A, Bertorelli G, Chetta A. Small airways in asthma: from bench-to-bedside. Minerva Med 2021; 113:79-93. [PMID: 33496163 DOI: 10.23736/s0026-4806.21.07268-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Historically, asthma was considered a disease predominantly of the large airways, but gradually small airways have been recognized as the major site of airflow obstruction. Small airway dysfunction (SAD) significantly contributes to the pathophysiology of asthma and it is present across all asthma severities. Promising pre-clinical findings documented enhanced beneficial effects of combination therapies on small airways compared to monocomponents, thus it was questioned whether this could translate into further clinical implications from bench-to-bedside. The aim of this review was to systematically assess the state of the art of small airway involvement in asthma, especially in response to different pharmacological treatments acting on the respiratory system. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION A comprehensive literature search was performed in MEDLINE for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) characterizing the impact on small airways of different pharmacological treatments acting on the respiratory system. The results were extracted and reported via qualitative synthesis. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS Overall, 63 studies were identified from the literature search, whereas 23 RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Evidence confirms that both drug particle size and the type of inhalation devices represent two of the most important variables for an effective peripheral lung distribution. CONCLUSIONS Despite the numerous methodological tools to detect SAD, there is still no gold standard diagnostic method to assess small airways, especially in severe asthma. Further research should be directed to improve primary and secondary prevention strategies by supporting the combined approach of different non-invasive techniques for an early detection of peripheral abnormalities and optimization of asthma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigino Calzetta
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Respiratory Disease and Lung Function Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy -
| | - Marina Aiello
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Respiratory Disease and Lung Function Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Annalisa Frizzelli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Respiratory Disease and Lung Function Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Bertorelli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Respiratory Disease and Lung Function Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Alfredo Chetta
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Respiratory Disease and Lung Function Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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9
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Gaffney AW, Hawks L, Bor D, White AC, Woolhandler S, McCormick D, Himmelstein DU. National Trends and Disparities in Health Care Access and Coverage Among Adults With Asthma and COPD: 1997-2018. Chest 2021; 159:2173-2182. [PMID: 33497651 DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2021.01.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Racial and ethnic as well as economic disparities in access to care among persons with asthma and COPD have been described, but long-term access trends are unclear. RESEARCH QUESTION Have health coverage and access to care and medications among adults with airways disease improved, and have disparities narrowed? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS Using the 1997 through 2018 National Health Interview Survey, we examined time trends in health coverage and the affordability of medical care and prescription drugs for adults with asthma and COPD, overall and by income and by race and ethnicity. We performed multivariate linear probability regressions comparing coverage and access in 2018 with that in 1997. RESULTS Our sample included 76,843 adults with asthma and 30,548 adults with COPD. Among adults with asthma, lack of insurance rose in the first decade of the twenty-first century, peaking with the Great Recession, but fell after implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). From 1997 through 2018, the uninsured rate among adults with asthma decreased from 19.4% to 9.6% (adjusted 9.27 percentage points; 95% CI, 7.1%-11.5%). However, the proportions delaying or foregoing medical care because of cost or going without medications did not improve. Racial and ethnic as well as economic disparities present in 1997 persisted over the study period. Trends and disparities among those with COPD were similar, although the proportion going without needed medications worsened, rising by an adjusted 7.8 percentage points. INTERPRETATION Coverage losses among persons with airways disease in the first decade of the twenty-first century were reversed by the ACA, but neither care affordability nor disparities improved. Further reform is needed to close these gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam W Gaffney
- Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge, MA; Harvard Medical School, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA.
| | - Laura Hawks
- Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge, MA; Harvard Medical School, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - David Bor
- Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge, MA; Harvard Medical School, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Alexander C White
- Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge, MA; Tufts Medical School, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Steffie Woolhandler
- Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge, MA; Harvard Medical School, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA; City University of New York at Hunter College, New York, NY
| | - Danny McCormick
- Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge, MA; Harvard Medical School, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - David U Himmelstein
- Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge, MA; Harvard Medical School, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA; City University of New York at Hunter College, New York, NY
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Nili M, Adelman M, Madhavan SS, LeMasters T, Dwibedi N, Sambamoorthi U. Asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap and cost-related medication non-adherence among older adults in the United States. J Asthma 2021; 59:484-493. [PMID: 33356680 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2020.1868497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cost-related medication non-adherence (CRN) can negatively impact health outcomes in older adults with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) overlap (ACO) by reducing access and adherence to essential medications. The objective of this study is to examine the association of ACO to any CRN and specific forms of CRN among a nationally representative sample of older (age ≥ 65 years) adults. METHODS We adopted a cross-sectional study design using data from pooled cross-sectional Medicare Current Beneficiary Surveys (MCBS) (2006-2013) and linked fee-for-service Medicare claims. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regressions that accounted for the complex survey design examined the association of ACO to any CRN and specific forms of CRN. RESULTS Among older adults with ACO, 16% reported any CRN. The most common form of CRN was "failing to get prescription". As compared to older adults with no asthma and no COPD, those with ACO were more likely to report any CRN (adjusted odds ratios [AOR] = 1.50, 95%CI = [1.14, 1.96]) and all forms of CRN. However, when the number of unique medications was added to the model, there were no statistically significant differences in CRN between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS Older adults with ACO represent a vulnerable population with increased risk for CRN. Multiple factors can contribute to CRN including: a higher number of prescribed medications, multiple co-morbidities, and cost of therapies. Medication comprehensive review interventions have the potential of reducing the risk of CRN among the older Medicare beneficiaries with ACO.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Nili
- School of Pharmacy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - M Adelman
- School of Pharmacy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - S S Madhavan
- System College of Pharmacy, University of North Texas, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - T LeMasters
- School of Pharmacy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - N Dwibedi
- School of Pharmacy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - U Sambamoorthi
- School of Pharmacy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
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Patel MR, Press VG, Gerald LB, Barnes T, Blake K, Brown LK, Costello RW, Crim C, Forshag M, Gershon AS, Goss CH, Han MK, Lee TA, Sweet S, Gerald JK. Improving the Affordability of Prescription Medications for People with Chronic Respiratory Disease. An Official American Thoracic Society Policy Statement. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2019; 198:1367-1374. [PMID: 30601674 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201810-1865st] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mounting evidence indicates that out-of-pocket costs for prescription medications, particularly among low- and middle-income patients with chronic diseases, are imposing financial burden, reducing medication adherence, and worsening health outcomes. This problem is exacerbated by a paucity of generic alternatives for prevalent lung diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as high-cost medicines for rare diseases, such as cystic fibrosis. Affordability and access challenges are especially salient in the United States, as citizens of many other countries pay lower prices for and have greater access to prescription medications. METHODS The American Thoracic Society convened a multidisciplinary committee comprising experts in health policy pharmacoeconomics, behavioral sciences, and clinical care, along with individuals providing industry and patient perspectives. The report and its recommendation were iteratively developed over a year of in-person, telephonic, and electronic deliberation. RESULTS The committee unanimously recommended the establishment of a publicly funded, politically independent, impartial entity to systematically draft evidence-based pharmaceutical policy recommendations. The goal of this entity would be to generate evidence and action steps to ensure people have equitable and affordable access to prescription medications, to maximize the value of public and private pharmaceutical expenditures on health, to support novel drug development within a market-based economy, and to preserve clinician and patient choice regarding personalized treatment. An immediate priority is to examine the evidence and make recommendations regarding the need to have essential medicines with established clinical benefit from each drug class in all Tier 1 formularies and propose recommendations to reduce barriers to timely generic drug availability. CONCLUSIONS By making explicit, evidence-based recommendations, the entity can support the establishment of coherent national policies that expand access to affordable medications, improve the health of patients with chronic disease, and optimize the use of public and private resources.
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Ebell M, Marchello C, O'Connor J. The burden and social determinants of asthma for adults in the state of Georgia. JOURNAL OF THE GEORGIA PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION 2017; 6:426-434. [PMID: 28936486 PMCID: PMC5603255 DOI: 10.21633/jgpha.6.406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthma is a serious chronic health condition, and social determinants may affect its prevalence. METHODS Data from the Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance Survey (BRFSS), the Georgia Asthma Call-back Survey (ACBS), and the Georgia hospital and emergency department survey for patients with a diagnosis of asthma were used. All data were from the years 2011 through 2014. SAS and SUDAAN software were used to calculate weighted prevalence estimates and to perform univariate and multivariate analyses of the association between social determinants, other risk factors, and asthma outcomes. RESULTS The prevalence of asthma was highest among non-Hispanic blacks, women, and persons with less than a high school education, with an annual household income below $25,000, and in rural parts of the state (south and northwest Georgia). Those without insurance for more than three years had a higher prevalence of asthma than those who had insurance or had been uninsured less than 6 months. Although the percentage without insurance declined from 2012 to 2014, more than 1 in 5 adults of working age with asthma still lacked health insurance, and more than half had been without it for more than 3 years. One-third of Georgians with asthma could not see a doctor, at least on one occasion, because of cost, and more than a third were currently paying off medical bills. Approximately one quarter did not report having a personal physician, and a similar percentage reported having more than one year since their last check-up. In multivariate analyses, women (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.61), smokers (aOR 1.54), and persons with a higher BMI (aOR 1.56) were all independently associated with having asthma. CONCLUSIONS For the state of Georgia, there are associations between social determinants, such as education, income, and geography, and the prevalence of asthma, and many patients lack access to care. Addressing social determinants, including having affordable health insurance, is necessary to improve management of asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Ebell
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
| | - Christian Marchello
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
| | - Jean O'Connor
- Chronic Disease Prevention Director, Georgia Department of Public Health, Atlanta, GA
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Al Sallakh MA, Vasileiou E, Rodgers SE, Lyons RA, Sheikh A, Davies GA. Defining asthma and assessing asthma outcomes using electronic health record data: a systematic scoping review. Eur Respir J 2017; 49:49/6/1700204. [DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00204-2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
There is currently no consensus on approaches to defining asthma or assessing asthma outcomes using electronic health record-derived data. We explored these approaches in the recent literature and examined the clarity of reporting.We systematically searched for asthma-related articles published between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2015, extracted the algorithms used to identify asthma patients and assess severity, control and exacerbations, and examined how the validity of these outcomes was justified.From 113 eligible articles, we found significant heterogeneity in the algorithms used to define asthma (n=66 different algorithms), severity (n=18), control (n=9) and exacerbations (n=24). For the majority of algorithms (n=106), validity was not justified. In the remaining cases, approaches ranged from using algorithms validated in the same databases to using nonvalidated algorithms that were based on clinical judgement or clinical guidelines. The implementation of these algorithms was suboptimally described overall.Although electronic health record-derived data are now widely used to study asthma, the approaches being used are significantly varied and are often underdescribed, rendering it difficult to assess the validity of studies and compare their findings. Given the substantial growth in this body of literature, it is crucial that scientific consensus is reached on the underlying definitions and algorithms.
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Tseng CW, Yazdany J, Dudley RA, DeJong C, Kazi DS, Chen R, Lin GA. Medicare Part D Plans' Coverage and Cost-Sharing for Acute Rescue and Preventive Inhalers for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. JAMA Intern Med 2017; 177:585-588. [PMID: 28241217 PMCID: PMC6822611 DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2016.9386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Wen Tseng
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, Honolulu
| | - Jinoos Yazdany
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco
| | - R Adams Dudley
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco
| | - Colette DeJong
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco
| | - Dhruv S Kazi
- Center for Vulnerable Populations, Department of Medicine (Cardiology), University of California, San Francisco
| | - Randi Chen
- Pacific Health Research and Education Institute, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Grace A Lin
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco
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15
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Galbraith AA, Fung V, Li L, Butler MG, Nordin JD, Hsu J, Smith D, Vollmer WM, Lieu TA, Soumerai SB, Wu AC. Impact of Copayment Changes on Children's Albuterol Inhaler Use and Costs after the Clean Air Act Chlorofluorocarbon Ban. Health Serv Res 2016; 53:156-174. [PMID: 27868200 DOI: 10.1111/1475-6773.12615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine changes in children's albuterol use and out-of-pocket (OOP) costs in response to increased copayments after the Food and Drug Administration banned inhalers with chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) propellants. SETTING Four health maintenance organizations (HMOs), two that increased copayments for albuterol inhalers that went from generic CFC-containing to branded CFC-free versions, and two that retained generic copayments for CFC-free inhalers (controls). We included children with asthma aged 4-17 years with commercial coverage from 2007 to 2010. DESIGN Interrupted time series with comparison series. DATA We obtained enrollee and plan characteristics from enrollment files, and utilization data from pharmacy and medical claims; OOP expenditures were extracted from pharmacy claims for two HMOs with cost data available. FINDINGS There were no significant differences in albuterol use between the group with increased cost-sharing and controls with respect to changes after the policy change. There was a postpolicy increase of $6.11 OOP per month per child using albuterol among those with increased cost-sharing versus $0.36 in controls; the difference between groups was significant (p < .01). CONCLUSIONS Increased copayments for brand-name CFC-free albuterol after the CFC ban did not lead to a decrease in children's albuterol use, but it led to a modest increase in OOP costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison A Galbraith
- Center for Healthcare Research in Pediatrics, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA.,Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Vicki Fung
- Mongan Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | | | - Melissa G Butler
- Roivant Sciences, Hamilton, Bermuda.,Center for Clinical and Outcomes Research, Kaiser Permanente Georgia, Atlanta, GA
| | | | - John Hsu
- Mongan Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA.,Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA
| | - David Smith
- Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research Northwest, Portland, OR
| | - William M Vollmer
- Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research Northwest, Portland, OR
| | - Tracy A Lieu
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA
| | - Stephen B Soumerai
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Ann Chen Wu
- Center for Healthcare Research in Pediatrics, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA.,Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
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Kasper J, Greene JA, Farmer PE, Jones DS. All Health Is Global Health, All Medicine Is Social Medicine: Integrating the Social Sciences Into the Preclinical Curriculum. ACADEMIC MEDICINE : JOURNAL OF THE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN MEDICAL COLLEGES 2016; 91:628-32. [PMID: 26703416 DOI: 10.1097/acm.0000000000001054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
As physicians work to achieve optimal health outcomes for their patients, they often struggle to address the issues that arise outside the clinic. Social, economic, and political factors influence patients' burden of disease, access to treatment, and health outcomes. This challenge has motivated recent calls for increased attention to the social determinants of health. At the same time, advocates have called for increased attention to global health. Each year, more U.S. medical students participate in global health experiences. Yet, the global health training that is available varies widely. The discipline of social medicine, which attends to the social determinants of disease, social meanings of disease, and social responses to disease, offers a solution to both challenges. The analyses and techniques of social medicine provide an invaluable toolkit for providing health care in the United States and abroad.In 2007, Harvard Medical School implemented a new course, required for all first-year students, that teaches social medicine in a way that integrates global health. In this article, the authors argue for the importance of including social medicine and global health in the preclinical curriculum; describe Harvard Medical School's innovative, integrated approach to teaching these disciplines, which can be used at other medical schools; and explore the barriers that educators may face in implementing such a curriculum, including resistance from students. Such a course can equip medical students with the knowledge and tools that they will need to address complex health problems in the United States and abroad.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Kasper
- J. Kasper is assistant professor and chair, Faculty Advisory Committee on Global Health, Harvard Medical School, and faculty member, Division of Global Health, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts. J.A. Greene is associate professor of medicine and of the history of medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. P.E. Farmer is Kolokotrones University Professor of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. D.S. Jones is A. Bernard Ackerman Professor of the Culture of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, and Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
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