Racial and Ethnic Differences in Preventable Hospitalizations across 10 States

Abstract

Using discharge data from 10 states, this study estimates the effects of race and ethnicity on the likelihood of being hospitalized for a preventable condition—an indicator of limited access to primary care. The authors find that African Americans and Hispanics are more likely to be hospitalized for preventable conditions. In particular, controlling for differences in patients’ health care needs, socioeconomic status, insurance coverage, and the availability of primary care, Hispanic children, working-age African American adults, and elderly patients from both minority groups are at greater risk than are similar white patients.