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Geissler KH, Shieh MS, Krishnan JA, Lindenauer PK, Ash AS, Goff SL. Health Insurance Type and Outpatient Specialist Care Among Children With Asthma. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e2417319. [PMID: 38884996 PMCID: PMC11184461 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.17319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Although children with asthma are often successfully treated by primary care clinicians, outpatient specialist care is recommended for those with poorly controlled disease. Little is known about differences in specialist use for asthma among children with Medicaid vs private insurance. Objective To examine differences among children with asthma regarding receipt of asthma specialist care by insurance type. Design, Setting, and Participants In this cross-sectional study using data from the Massachusetts All Payer Claims Database (APCD) between 2014 to 2020, children with asthma were identified and differences in receipt of outpatient specialist care by whether their insurance was public (Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program) or private were examined. Eligible participants included children with asthma in 2015 to 2020 aged 2 to 17 years. Data analysis was conducted from January 2023 to April 2024. Exposure Medicaid vs private insurance. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was receipt of specialist care (any outpatient visit with a pulmonology, allergy and immunology, or otolaryngology physician). Multivariable logistic regression models estimated differences in receipt of specialist care by insurance type accounting for child and area characteristics including demographics, health status, persistent asthma, calendar year, and zip code characteristics. Additional analyses examined if the associations of specialist care with insurance type varied by asthma persistence and severity, and whether associations varied over time. Results Among 198 101 unique children, there were 432 455 child-year observations (186 296 female [43.1%] and 246 159 male [56.9%]; 211 269 aged 5 to 11 years [48.9%]; 82 108 [19.0%] with persistent asthma) including 286 408 (66.2%) that were Medicaid insured and 146 047 (33.8%) that were privately insured. Although persistent asthma was more common among child-year observations with Medicaid vs private insurance (57 381 [20.0%] vs 24 727 [16.9%]), children with Medicaid were less likely to receive specialist care. Overall, 64 239 child-year observations (14.9%) received specialist care, with substantially lower rates for children with Medicaid vs private insurance (34 093 child-year observations [11.9%] vs 30 146 child-year observations [20.6%]). Regression-based estimates confirmed these disparities; children with Medicaid had 55% lower odds of receiving specialist care (adjusted odds ratio, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.43 to 0.47) and a regression-adjusted 9.7 percentage point (95% CI, -10.4 percentage points to -9.1 percentage points) lower rate of receipt of specialist care. Compared with children with private insurance, there was an additional 3.2 percentage point (95% CI, 2.0 percentage points to 4.4 percentage points) deficit for children with Medicaid with persistent asthma. Conclusions and Relevance In this cross-sectional study, children with Medicaid were less likely to receive specialist care, with the largest gaps among those with persistent asthma. These findings suggest that closing this care gap may be one approach to addressing ongoing disparities in asthma outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberley H. Geissler
- Department of Healthcare Delivery and Population Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School-Baystate, Springfield
| | - Meng-Shiou Shieh
- Department of Healthcare Delivery and Population Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School-Baystate, Springfield
| | - Jerry A. Krishnan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois Chicago
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Allergy, University of Illinois Chicago
- Office of Population Health Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago
| | - Peter K. Lindenauer
- Department of Healthcare Delivery and Population Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School-Baystate, Springfield
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School-Baystate, Springfield
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester
| | - Arlene S. Ash
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester
| | - Sarah L. Goff
- Department of Health Promotion and Policy, School of Public Health & Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst
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Smith BM, Smith TK, Holve S, Connor KA, Coleman C, Tschudy MM. Defining and Promoting Pediatric Pulmonary Health: Equitable Family and Community Partnerships. Pediatrics 2023; 152:e2023062292G. [PMID: 37656028 PMCID: PMC10484323 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2023-062292g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Optimizing pulmonary health across the lifespan begins from the earliest stages of childhood and requires a partnership between the family, pulmonologist, and pediatrician to achieve equitable outcomes. The Community Pediatrics session of the Defining and Promoting Pediatric Pulmonary Health workshop weaved together 4 community-based pillars with 4 research principles to set an agenda for future pediatric pulmonary research in optimizing lung and sleep health for children and adolescents. To address diversity, equity, and inclusion, both research proposals and workforce must purposefully include a diverse set of participants that reflects the community served, in addition to embracing nontraditional, community-based sites of care and social determinants of health. To foster inclusive, exploratory, and innovative research, studies must be centered on community priorities, with findings applied to all members of the community, particularly those in historically marginalized and minoritized groups. Research teams should also foster meaningful partnerships with community primary care and family members from study conceptualization. To achieve these goals, implementation and dissemination science should be expanded in pediatric pulmonary research, along with the development of rapid mechanisms to disseminate best practices to community-based clinicians. To build cross-disciplinary collaboration and training, community-academic partnerships, family research partnerships, and integrated research networks are necessary. With research supported by community pillars built on authentic partnerships and guided by inclusive principles, pediatric lung and sleep health can be optimized for all children and adolescents across the full lifespan in the community in which they live and thrive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon M. Smith
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Tyler K. Smith
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine and Children’s Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Steve Holve
- Tuba City Regional Health Care, Indian Health Service, Tuba City, Arizona
| | - Katherine A. Connor
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | - Megan M. Tschudy
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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Ludden T, O’Hare K, Shade L, Reeves K, Patterson CG, Tapp H. Implementation of Coach McLungsSM into primary care using a cluster randomized stepped wedge trial design. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2022; 22:285. [PMID: 36333727 PMCID: PMC9636750 DOI: 10.1186/s12911-022-02030-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Asthma is a prevalent chronic disease that is difficult to manage and associated with marked disparities in outcomes. One promising approach to addressing disparities is shared decision making (SDM), a method by which the patient and provider cooperatively make a decision about asthma care. SDM is associated with improved outcomes for patients; however, time constraints and staff availability are noted implementation barriers. Use of health information technology (IT) solutions may facilitate the utilization of SDM. Coach McLungsSM is a collaborative web-based application that involves pediatric patients, their caregivers, and providers in a personalized experience while gathering patient-reported data. Background logic provides decision support so both audiences can develop a well-informed treatment plan together. The goal of this study is to evaluate the implementation of the Coach McLungsSM intervention into primary care. Methods Implementation will be evaluated using a stepped wedge randomized control study design at 21 pediatric and family medicine practices within a large, integrated, nonprofit healthcare system. We will measure changes in emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and oral steroid use, which serve as surrogate measures for patient-centered asthma outcomes. We will use a generalized linear mixed models with logit link to test the hypothesis for the reduction in exacerbation rates specifying the fixed effects of intervention and time and random effects for practice and practice*time. This design achieves 84% power to detect the hypothesized effect size difference of 10% in overall exacerbation between control (40%) and intervention (30%) periods (two-sided, p = 0.05). Implementation will be guided using the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC), a compilation of implementation strategies, and evaluated using the CFIR (Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research) and RE-AIM (Reach Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance). Discussion We anticipate that a tailored implementation of Coach McLungsSM across diverse primary care practices will lead to a decrease in emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and oral steroid use for patients in the intervention group as compared to the control condition. Trial Registration: Clincaltrials.gov, NCT05059210. Registered 28 September 2021, https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05059210 Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12911-022-02030-1.
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Margolis RHF, Bellin MH, Morphew T, Tsoukleris M, Bollinger ME, Butz A. Caregiver Depressive Symptoms and Primary Medication Nonadherence in Children With Asthma. J Pediatr Health Care 2022; 36:136-143. [PMID: 34011445 PMCID: PMC8594280 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2021.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for primary medication nonadherence among low-income minority children with persistent asthma. METHOD Data were from an environmental control and educational intervention for children with uncontrolled asthma who were treated in the emergency department for an asthma exacerbation. Presence or absence of pharmacy records for child asthma medications was the outcome of interest. A range of sociodemographic, health, and psychosocial measures were included in the binary logistic regression. RESULTS Of the 222 youths (mean age = 6.3 years; 93.7% Black), 25 (11.3%) lacked pharmacy records of asthma medications. For every 1-point increase in caregiver depressive symptoms, the odds of the child having a pharmacy record declined by 5% (odds ratio = 0.95; p = .012). DISCUSSION Providers should systematically assess and monitor caregiver depressive symptoms as a potential contributing factor for primary medication nonadherence in low-income minority children with persistent, uncontrolled asthma.
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Margolis R, Bellin MH, Dababnah S, Sacco P, Butz A. Psychometric evaluation of the medication adherence report scale in caregivers of low-income, urban, African American children with poorly controlled asthma. J Asthma 2022; 59:386-394. [PMID: 33108247 PMCID: PMC8281494 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2020.1841226] [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: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Accurately assessing asthma medication usage among low-income, urban, African American children is essential to reduce asthma health disparities. The purpose of this study was to examine the factor structure of the five-item Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS), in a sample of caregivers of low-income, urban, African American youth with poorly controlled asthma. METHOD Using baseline data from a randomized clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of an environmental control educational intervention, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to ascertain the MARS factor structure. Construct validity was assessed using a regression model inclusive of caregiver-reported medication adherence, Asthma Medication Ratio (AMR), asthma control, and caregiver perception of asthma control as predictors of the MARS. RESULTS Caregivers were female (97%) and 27.4% had an annual income under $10,000. The mean MARS score was 21.88 ± 3.33 out of a possible range of 5-25, representing high adherence. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that a five-item one-factor model marginally fit the data based on the fit indices: χ2 (5) = 31.71, p < 0.001; RMSEA ≤ 0.161; CFI = 0.986; TLI = 0.971; and WRMR = 0.979. The MARS was associated with another caregiver-reported measure of medication adherence but not associated with AMR, asthma control, or caregiver perception of asthma control. CONCLUSIONS The MARS demonstrated marginal fit in CFA and may not be clinically indicated in light of the lack of associations with objective measures of asthma medication adherence and asthma control.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Paul Sacco
- University of Maryland School of Social Work
| | - Arlene Butz
- The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics
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6
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Improved asthma outcomes among at-risk children in a pharmacist-led, interdisciplinary school-based health clinic: A pilot study of the CAReS program. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) 2021; 62:519-525.e1. [PMID: 34863634 DOI: 10.1016/j.japh.2021.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disparities in access to care and outcomes have been identified among children with asthma living in underserved communities. The Caring for Asthma in our Region's Schoolchildren program was established to reduce disparities by providing school-based, comprehensive asthma care by a pharmacist-led, interdisciplinary team to high-risk pediatric populations in the Greater Pittsburgh area. OBJECTIVE To investigate program impact on follow-up appointment attendance, delivery of guideline-based care, asthma control, asthma morbidity (emergency department [ED] visits, oral corticosteroid [OCS] requirement), and asthma-related knowledge and quality of life. METHODS The study enrolled 50 children with asthma from 6 elementary schools (September 2014-December 2017). Children completed 5 visits over a 3-month period. McNemar's test assessed improvement in guideline-based controller therapy use and reduced morbidity (ED visits or OCS requirement). Generalized estimating equation analyses determined the significance of monthly improvements in asthma control, asthma knowledge, and quality of life. RESULTS A 100% show rate was achieved in nearly all participants (92.0%). Most of the patients were African-American (56%). In children with persistent disease, only 21.4% were prescribed controller therapy at baseline, which improved to 78.5% upon enrollment (P < 0.05). Asthma control statistically significantly improved (P < 0.05), and a reduction in percentage of patients who required an ED visit or an OCS burst pre-to postintervention was also statistically significant (31.3% vs. 14.6%, P < 0.05). The goal of 100% treatment plan knowledge was achieved in 67% of caregivers within 1 month and increased from 6% to 60% in children over 3 months (P < 0.05). Asthma-related quality of life also improved statistically significantly pre-to postintervention (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Disparities in asthma outcomes owing to inadequate access to health care can be addressed. Improved asthma control, asthma medication knowledge, quality of life, and reduced morbidity in high-risk pediatric patients are achievable as demonstrated by our study. Our findings support the feasibility and value of a pharmacist-led, interdisciplinary school-based health care delivery model in providing comprehensive asthma care to at-risk pediatric populations.
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Prather SL, Foronda CL, Kelley CN, Nadeau C, Prather K. Barriers and Facilitators of Asthma Management as Experienced by African American Caregivers of Children with Asthma: An Integrative Review. J Pediatr Nurs 2020; 55:40-74. [PMID: 32653828 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2020.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION African American children with asthma demonstrate significant health disparities and poor health outcomes. Understanding the burdens faced by parents and caregivers of children with asthma may be helpful to develop future interventions to address this disparity. PURPOSE The purpose of this integrative review was to reveal the barriers and facilitators of child asthma management experienced by African American caregivers. METHOD Whittemore and Knafl's (2005) method of integrative review was used to review 40 articles. The integrative review involved appraising the quality of the literature, conducting a thematic analysis, and evaluating the barriers and facilitators of pediatric asthma management experienced by African American caregivers. RESULTS Barriers and facilitators were identified as themes. Barriers included caregiver burdens, and lack of home and neighborhood safety. Facilitators were family and community support, education and empowerment, and culturally competent healthcare providers. DISCUSSION To improve the care of African American children with asthma, nurses should work to engage, communicate, and foster trust with families. Nurses should assess and address the family caregivers' burdens while emphasizing support systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan L Prather
- University of Miami, School of Nursing and Health Studies, FL, United States of America.
| | - Cynthia L Foronda
- University of Miami, School of Nursing and Health Studies, FL, United States of America.
| | - Courtney N Kelley
- University of Miami, School of Nursing and Health Studies, FL, United States of America.
| | - Catherine Nadeau
- University of Miami, School of Nursing and Health Studies, FL, United States of America.
| | - Khaila Prather
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, FL, United States of America.
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Butz AM, Bellin MH, Morphew T, Tsoukleris M, Bollinger ME. Factors associated with reduced time lapse of medication fills in uncontrolled childhood asthma. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2019; 124:197-198. [PMID: 31765813 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2019.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Arlene M Butz
- Department of Pediatrics, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Melissa H Bellin
- School of Social Work, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | - Mona Tsoukleris
- School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland
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Margolis R, Bellin MH, Bookman JRM, Collins KS, Bollinger ME, Lewis-Land C, Butz AM. Fostering Effective Asthma Self-Management Transfer in High-Risk Children: Gaps and Opportunities for Family Engagement. J Pediatr Health Care 2019; 33:684-693. [PMID: 31253454 PMCID: PMC6815689 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2019.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Revised: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The process of self-management knowledge, behavior, and skill development in children with asthma from families with low income is understudied. METHOD Fifteen mothers of children with uncontrolled asthma participated in semistructured interviews exploring the transfer of asthma self-management responsibilities from parent to child. Team members performed thematic analysis of written transcripts. RESULTS All participants were all the biological mothers and were impoverished, with most (73%) reporting an annual family income of less than $30,000. Their children ranged from 5 to 15 years old, were African American (100%), and had uncontrolled asthma based on national guidelines. Themes showed that child asthma self-management is difficult to achieve, that the transfer of asthma responsibility from mother to child is variable, and that mothers overestimate their child's developmental capacities for independent asthma self-management and have poor understanding of what well-controlled asthma means. DISCUSSION Ongoing assessment and tailored guidance from health care providers are critical to support the pivotal role of mothers in their child's self-management development process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Margolis
- University of Maryland School of Social Work, Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
| | - Melissa H. Bellin
- University of Maryland School of Social Work, Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
| | | | - Kathryn S. Collins
- University of Maryland School of Social Work, Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
| | | | - Cassie Lewis-Land
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
| | - Arlene M. Butz
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
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Margolis R, Bellin MH, Sacco P, Harrington D, Butz A. Evaluation of MOS social support in low-income caregivers of African American children with poorly controlled asthma. J Asthma 2019; 56:951-958. [PMID: 30273501 PMCID: PMC6443510 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2018.1510504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the factor structure of the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS) in a sample of low-income, urban caregivers of African American children with poorly controlled asthma. Although the MOS-SSS is a commonly used measure of social support, its psychometric properties have not been studied in this population. Methods: Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to determine the most appropriate factor structure for the MOS-SSS in caregivers of African American children with frequent Emergency Department visits for uncontrolled asthma. The following models were tested and compared using established fit statistics: an 18-item second-order four factor model, an 18-item four factor model, a bifactor model and an 18-item one factor model with nested models. Results: Participating caregivers were single (75.6%) and female (97%). An 18-item one factor version of the scale had the best fit statistics compared to the other models tested: χ 2 (142) = 308.319, p > 0.001; Root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.077; CFI (Comparative Fit Index) = 0.990; and Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI) = 0.988. Construct validity was supported by a statistically significant negative relationship between our final MOS-SSS model and caregiver depressive symptoms ( β = -0.374, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The 18-item one factor MOS-SSS may be appropriate for use in research and clinical practice with caregivers of African American children with poorly controlled asthma. It appears promising as a mechanism to advance understanding of relationships between social support and asthma outcomes in this vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Paul Sacco
- University of Maryland School of Social Work
| | | | - Arlene Butz
- The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics
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11
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Pate CA, Qin X, Bailey CM, Zahran HS. Cost barriers to asthma care by health insurance type among children with asthma. J Asthma 2019; 57:1103-1109. [PMID: 31343379 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2019.1640730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Objective: Children with asthma have ongoing health care needs and health insurance is a vital part of their health care access. Health care coverage may be associated with various cost barriers to asthma care. We examined cost barriers to receiving asthma care by health insurance type and coverage continuity among children with asthma using the 2012-2014 Child Asthma Call-back Survey (ACBS).Methods: The study sample included 3788 children under age 18 years with current asthma who had responses to the ACBS by adult proxy. Associations between cost barriers to asthma care and treatment were analyzed by demographic, health insurance coverage, and urban residence variables using multivariable logistic regression models.Results: Among insured children, more blacks reported a cost barrier to seeing a doctor (10.6% [5.9, 18.3]) compared with whites (2.9% [2.1, 4.0]) (p = 0.03). Adjusting for demographic factors (sex, age, and race), uninsured and having partial year coverage were associated with cost barrier to seeing a doctor (adjusted prevalence ratio aPR = 8.07 [4.78, 13.61] and aPR = 6.58 [3.78, 11.45], respectively) and affording medication (aPR = 8.35 [5.23, 13.34] and aPR = 4.93 [2.96, 8.19], respectively), compared with children who had full year coverage. Public insurance was associated with cost barrier to seeing a doctor (aPR = 4.43 [2.57, 7.62]), compared with private insurance.Conclusions: Having no health insurance, partial year coverage, and public insurance were associated with cost barriers to asthma care. Improving health insurance coverage may help strengthen access to and reduce cost barriers to asthma care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia A Pate
- 2M Research, LLC Contractor to Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Xiaoting Qin
- Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Cathy M Bailey
- Office of the Director, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Hatice S Zahran
- Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Bollinger ME, Butz A, Tsoukleris M, Lewis-Land C, Mudd S, Morphew T. Characteristics of inner-city children with life-threatening asthma. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2019; 122:381-386. [PMID: 30742915 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2019.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intensive care unit (ICU) admission is a risk factor for fatal asthma. Little is known about risk factors for pediatric ICU admissions for asthma. OBJECTIVE To examine characteristics of underserved minority children with prior ICU admissions for asthma. METHODS Baseline survey data, salivary cotinine levels, and allergen specific IgE serologic test results were obtained from children with uncontrolled asthma enrolled in a randomized clinical trial of a behavioral education environmental control intervention. Characteristics of children with and without prior ICU admission were compared using χ2 and t tests. Logistic regression assessed significance of higher odds of prior ICU admission comparing factor-level categories. RESULTS Patients included 222 primarily African American (93.7%), male (56%), Medicaid-insured (92.8%) children with a mean (SD) age of 6.4 (2.7) years with uncontrolled asthma. Most (57.9%) had detectable cotinine levels, 82.6% were sensitized to more than 1 environmental allergen, and 27.9% had prior ICU admissions. Prior ICU patients were more likely to be very poor (<$10,000 per year) and sensitized to more than 1 allergen tested (most importantly mouse) (P < .05). Allergen sensitization in the groups did not differ for cockroach, cat, dog, Alternaria, Aspergillus, dust mite, grass, or tree. Although more ICU patients received combination controller therapy, they also overused albuterol. Only 27.4% of ICU patients received specialty care in the previous 2 years, which was not significantly different from non-ICU patients. CONCLUSION Children with high mortality risk, including history of ICU admission, were twice as likely to live in extreme poverty, have atopy (particularly mouse allergen), use combination controller therapy, and overuse albuterol. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01981564.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Elizabeth Bollinger
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonary and Allergy, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Arlene Butz
- Department of Pediatrics, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Mona Tsoukleris
- University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Cassia Lewis-Land
- Department of Pediatrics, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Shawna Mudd
- Department of Acute and Chronic Care, School of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland
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Francis L, DePriest K, Wilson M, Gross D. Child Poverty, Toxic Stress, and Social Determinants of Health: Screening and Care Coordination. ONLINE JOURNAL OF ISSUES IN NURSING 2018; 23. [PMID: 31427855 DOI: 10.3912/ojin.vol23no03man02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Social determinants of health (SDOH) refer to the social, economic, and physical conditions in which people live that may affect their health. Poverty, which affects nearly 15 million children in the United States, has far-reaching effects on children's physical and mental health. Although it is difficult to change a family's economic circumstances, nurses can play a critical role to address SDOH through screening and effective coordination of care. As nurses, our role is to minimize the effects of SDOH, including poverty, on child health and well-being through our practice, research, and professional education. We present three exemplars of child poverty to demonstrate the impact on child health and well-being and propose a model of care for nurses to assess and address SDOH in the pediatric clinical setting.
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14
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Oppenheimer JJ, Marshall GD. Increasing our knowledge base of asthma. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2018; 119:476-479. [PMID: 29223297 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2017.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/18/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John J Oppenheimer
- Division of Allergy Immunology, Rutgers-UMDNJ and Pulmonary and Allergy Associates, Summit, New Jersey.
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Bellin MH, Newsome A, Lewis-Land C, Kub J, Mudd SS, Margolis R, Butz AM. Improving Care of Inner-City Children with Poorly Controlled Asthma: What Mothers Want You to Know. J Pediatr Health Care 2018; 32:387-398. [PMID: 29540280 PMCID: PMC6026044 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2017.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Low-income caregiver perspectives on asthma management are understudied but may illuminate strategies to improve care delivery and child outcomes. METHOD Purposive sampling methods were used to recruit 15 caregivers of children with frequent asthma emergency department visits. Interviews explored how poverty and stress affect asthma management. Grounded theory coding techniques were used to analyze the data. RESULTS Participants were the biological mother (100%) and were poor (75% had mean annual income ≤ $30,000). Their children (mean age = 6.9 years) were African American (100%), enrolled in Medicaid (100%), and averaged 1.5 emergency department visits over the prior 3 months. Four themes emerged: (a) Deplorable Housing Conditions, (b) Allies and Adversaries in School-Based Asthma Management, (c) Satisfaction With Asthma Health Care Delivery, and (d) Prevalent Psychological Distress. DISCUSSION Impoverished caregivers of children with frequent asthma emergency department visits describe stress that is multifaceted, overwhelming, and difficult to eradicate. Their experiences underscore the need for improved school-based asthma management and family-centered approaches to health care delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Cassie Lewis-Land
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
| | - Joan Kub
- University of Southern California School of Social Work-Department of Nursing
| | - Shawna S. Mudd
- Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Medicine and Public Health
| | | | - Arlene M. Butz
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
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Butz AM, Bellin M, Tsoukleris M, Mudd SS, Kub J, Ogborn J, Morphew T, Lewis-Land C, Bollinger ME. Very Poorly Controlled Asthma in Urban Minority Children: Lessons Learned. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY. IN PRACTICE 2018; 6:844-852. [PMID: 28958744 PMCID: PMC5862725 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2017.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Revised: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Very poorly controlled (VPC) asthma in children is associated with ongoing acute exacerbations but factors associated with VPC are understudied. OBJECTIVE To examine the risk factors associated with VPC asthma in urban minority children. METHODS This descriptive study examined asthma control levels (well-controlled [WC], not well-controlled [NWC], and VPC) at baseline and 6 months in children participating in an ongoing randomized controlled trial of an emergency department/home environmental control intervention. Data collection occurred during the index emergency department visit and included allergen-specific IgE and salivary cotinine testing and caregiver interview of sociodemographic and child health characteristics. Follow-up data were collected at 6 months. Unadjusted analyses examined the association of sociodemographic and health characteristics by level of asthma control. Multivariate analysis tested significant factors associated with VPC asthma at 6 months. RESULTS At baseline most children were categorized with VPC asthma (WC, 0%; NWC, 47%; VPC, 53%) and rates of VPC minimally improved at 6 months (WC, 13%; NWC, 41%; VPC, 46%). Risk for VPC asthma was twice as likely in children with allergic rhinitis (odds ratio [OR], 2.42), having 2 or more primary care provider asthma visits within the past 3 months (OR, 2.77), or caregiver worry about medication side effects (OR, 2.13) and 3 to 4 times more likely when asthma control was assessed during the fall or spring season (OR: fall, 3.32; spring, 4.14). CONCLUSIONS Improving asthma control in low-income, high-risk children with VPC asthma requires treatment of comorbidities, attention to caregiver medication beliefs, and adept use of stepwise therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arlene M Butz
- Department of Pediatrics, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md.
| | - Melissa Bellin
- School of Social Work, The University of Maryland, Baltimore, Md
| | - Mona Tsoukleris
- The School of Pharmacy, The University of Maryland, Baltimore, Md
| | - Shawna S Mudd
- The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, Md
| | - Joan Kub
- The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, Md
| | - Jean Ogborn
- Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md
| | | | - Cassia Lewis-Land
- Department of Pediatrics, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md
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Gelzer AD, Gao W, Keleti D, Donia T, Megargell L, Kreitman J, Michael KE. Multifaceted interventions improve medication adherence and reduce acute hospitalization rates in medicaid patients prescribed asthma controllers. J Asthma 2018; 56:190-199. [PMID: 29565708 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2018.1439954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To measure the effectiveness of managed care-led interventions in Medicaid subjects with asthma on medication adherence and acute hospitalization in Pennsylvania. METHODS A total of 3589 members (age range, 5-64 years) served by two Pennsylvania-based Medicaid managed care plans (southeastern Pennsylvania [SEPA] and Lehigh-Capital/New West Pennsylvania [LCNWPA]) with low adherence rates (proportion of days covered [PDC]; 20%-67%) for asthma controller prescription fills in 2012 were guided through a care continuum by a comprehensive asthma strategy, consisting of adherence-improvement interventions (grouped as general intervention [GI] or personalized intervention [PI] for higher-risk subjects). Medication adherence and acute hospitalization rates (emergency department [ED] and inpatient [IP]) were compared at baseline versus one-year post-intervention using paired t-test or signed-rank tests. Repeated measures analysis of variances detected the interaction effect of time by intervention group after controlling for sociodemographic covariates. RESULTS Member profiles in SEPA (n = 2 796) and LCNWPA (n = 793) were racially and ethnically distinct. Both cohorts experienced statistically significant improvements in mean PDC rate (+4.9% and +7.2%; p = 0.01 and p = 0.03, respectively), accompanied by significant reductions in ED visits (asthma-related: -23.0% and -17.5%, respectively; p < 0.01), and IP admissions (asthma-related: -37.1% and -40.0%, respectively; p < 0.01). The PI subcohorts showed significantly greater improvements in mean PDC versus GI subcohorts (p ≤ 0.04), whereas acute hospitalization rates were statistically comparable in the SEPA cohort, despite its greater asthma burden. CONCLUSIONS Managed care-led interventions can effectively improve medication adherence and reduce acute hospitalizations in high-risk Medicaid populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea D Gelzer
- a Medical Executive Management, AmeriHealth Caritas , Philadelphia , PA , USA
| | - Wanzhen Gao
- b Corporate Informatics, AmeriHealth Caritas , Philadelphia , PA , USA
| | - David Keleti
- c Corporate Clinical Services, AmeriHealth Caritas , Philadelphia , PA , USA
| | - Thomas Donia
- a Medical Executive Management, AmeriHealth Caritas , Philadelphia , PA , USA
| | - Lauren Megargell
- d Pharmacy Clinical Intelligence, PerformRx , Philadelphia , PA , USA
| | - Jeffrey Kreitman
- e Pharmacy Management, AmeriHealth Caritas , Philadelphia , PA , USA
| | - Karen E Michael
- a Medical Executive Management, AmeriHealth Caritas , Philadelphia , PA , USA
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