Health Equity
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted and worsened underlying healthcare disparities in access, risks, and outcomes for specific population groups. These differences may also be caused by social factors such as transportation, nutrition, education, housing, and child care—called social determinants of health. Identify patient groups at risk using our extensive data and rely on our expert guidance to identify opportunities to address this societal issue.
Medicare Nebulizer Use for COPD Differs by Race/Ethnicity
Rates of filled prescriptions for nebulizers in Medicare FFS vary across factors such as age, disability, and race/ethnicity.
Assessing the MA Risk-Adjustment Model’s Accuracy Among Subpopulations
The accuracy of the CMS-HCC model differs by beneficiaries’ race and ethnicity.
Geographic Distribution of Potential Rare Disease Patients’ Residences
Among Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) beneficiaries, potential rare disease patients' residences have a median distance of over 200 miles to a relevant clinical trial site.
FDA Diversity Requirement: Impact on Rare Disease Drug Manufacturers
Increasing clinical trial diversity presents unique challenges for rare disease treatments due to population size, disease heterogeneity, and low awareness.
Characteristics of Hospitals Undergoing Mergers and Acquisitions
Avalere found that from 2016 to 2022, hospitals undergoing mergers and acquisitions were more likely to have 500+ beds and to be a 340B covered entity.
Improving Health Equity in Medicaid-Eligible Populations
The Health Systems Transformation Research Coordinating Center aims to change how research is generated, funded, and used to transform health systems in promotion of broader health equity for Medicaid-eligible individuals.
Medication Adherence Among Medicare Patients with Kidney Cancer
Among LIS Medicare patients using oral/IV therapy for kidney cancer, social risk factors may impact adherence, even when the OOP burden is reduced.
Limited Internet Access May Drive Disparities in Telehealth Use
Telehealth has the potential to expand access to healthcare by allowing people to interact with providers remotely, but disparities affect access to the technology that makes telehealth possible.
New Analysis on Kidney Transplant Disparities Presented at ASN
On November 4, Avalere presented a poster on disparities in wait times for kidney transplants at the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Kidney Week 2022 conference.
COVID-19 Impact: Clinical, Social Risk in Skilled Nursing Facilities
Changes in clinical and social risk among Medicare beneficiaries treated in SNFs at the start of the pandemic reflect challenges facing the healthcare sector during a public health emergency.
SDOH Factors Impact Drug Adherence for Patients with Multiple Myeloma
Avalere found that characteristics of Medicare patients’ place of residence influenced adherence to combination treatment regimens for multiple myeloma.
Reducing Disparities in Medicine: Advancing Equity in Clinical Trials
Clinical trial participation has not appropriately represented all patient populations, which risks overlooking all patients’ perspectives and potential health outcomes. Numerous federal efforts have taken place this year to enhance equity in clinical trials, however, a lack of legislative progress leaves an opportunity for life science companies to get involved.
Medication Adherence in Medically Underserved Areas
An Avalere analysis explores disparities in medication adherence for Medicare Part D beneficiaries living in medically underserved areas (MUAs) and non-MUAs.
MQii Roundtable Proceedings / Malnutrition and Health Equity
Successful initiatives to address malnutrition and food insecurity through quality measurement and community partnerships are improving malnutrition care across the country and addressing health equity.
Underrepresented Groups Would Save with Part D OOP Cap
As policymakers continue to consider reforms to the Part D benefit design, an Avalere analysis finds that a disproportionate share of disabled beneficiaries and racial/ethnic minority groups, including Black and Hispanic beneficiaries, would have out-of-pocket (OOP) costs above $2,000 in 2024, indicating that an OOP spending cap under Part D benefit redesign may particularly benefit these patient populations.
Health Plan Roles in Addressing Health Equity with Quality Measures
Quality regulators are implementing new requirements and performance measures to expand health equity expectations for health plans. Avalere describes common approaches and identifies data-driven strategies to respond.
Medicare Draft NCD for Alzheimer’s Drugs Poses Equity Questions
Avalere analysis seeks to understand potential access to clinical trial sites by race, given the draft requirement to ensure diverse participation.
Shaping Health Equity Policy in 2022
Multiple health equity focused policy proposals are expected in 2022. Healthcare organizations should be primed to engage in comment periods and evaluate readiness for changes to quality measures.
Interview: Exploring the Kidney Care Environment, Part III: Addressing Healthcare Disparities
Tune into the third episode in the Avalere Health Essential Voice podcast miniseries focused on the evolving kidney care landscape. In the final segment, our Market Access and Policy experts take a deeper dive into disparities in kidney care and discuss how various groups are looking to address these gaps.
Video: Exploring the Kidney Care Environment, Part III: Addressing Healthcare Disparities
Tune into the third episode in the Avalere Health Essential Voice podcast miniseries focused on the evolving kidney care landscape. In the final segment, our Market Access and Policy experts take a deeper dive into disparities in kidney care and discuss how various groups are looking to address these gaps.