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.
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.
Avalere Data on Breast Cancer Screening Disparities Published in AJMC
Avalere analysis conducted in collaboration with the Community Oncology Alliance (COA) was published in the American Journal of Managed Care, showing disparities in breast cancer screening rates during the COVID-19 pandemic among racial and ethnic minority groups and based on insurance type.
Medication Adherence Disparities Linked to Race, Socioeconomic Factors
An Avalere analysis finds that a smaller share of Black and Hispanic Medicare beneficiaries and beneficiaries in lower socioeconomic quartiles have sufficient adherence for commonly used medications. The analysis also shows greater disparities in Medicare plans rated 3 stars or fewer.
Leveraging Inpatient Malnutrition Care to Address Health Disparities
Malnutrition is a complex and burdensome condition that is often connected to social determinants of health—including food insecurity—that can widen disparities in health outcomes.
Food Industry-Healthcare Partnerships Can Address Disease Burden
While some food industry stakeholders have begun to integrate their operations into the healthcare system, opportunities remain for further collaboration to improve outcomes and quality of life for their patients, customers, and members.
Increased Utilization of SDOH Z Codes Can Enhance Patient Care
The FY 2022 update of the ICD-10-CM includes 19 new Z codes that relate to social determinants of health (SDOH). Z codes present an opportunity to standardize and improve patient SDOH data collection to assist stakeholders in addressing non-clinical needs that impact health outcomes and healthcare costs.
Universal Pre-K Could Affect Access to Preventive and Diagnostic Care
While proponents of universal pre-K (UPK) and other early care and education (ECE) programs have long cited its value for promoting children’s cognitive and social emotional development, preliminary evidence shows that these programs have similar direct health benefits.
Air Pollution Connected to Adverse and Inequitable Health Outcomes
Worse air quality leads to preventable negative health outcomes that increase healthcare costs. Further, urban and minority populations are often exposed to disproportionate pollution risks, leading to impaired health and increased financial burden on both individuals and broader health and social systems.
Disparities in Medicare Mortality Rates Occurred During the Pandemic
Avalere analysis shows that the COVID-19 pandemic had disproportionate impacts by race and ethnicity on Medicare enrollees.
Avalere Analysis of Disparities in Kidney Care Service Utilization
In light of proposed changes to the ESRD Treatment Choices Model to address health disparities, an Avalere analysis of Medicare claims found gaps in access to and utilization of specific dialysis-related services by patient race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.
Malnutrition MIPS Improvement Activity Included in QPP Proposed Rule
In the recently released Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed rule for the CY 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, CMS proposed to include an Avalere-submitted malnutrition-focused improvement activity (IA) in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS).
6 Ways for Manufacturers to Engage in Health Equity
Reducing health disparities is critical to advancing health equity, and each stakeholder has a role to play.
Healthcare Among High-Need, High-Cost Beneficiaries in FFS vs. MA
Avalere experts participated in a pre-release panel session, "Healthcare Utilization, Cost, and Quality Among High-Need, High-Cost Beneficiaries in Medicare Fee-for-Service versus Medicare Advantage," that was presented at the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research annual conference May 17–20, 2021.
Assessing Changes in Prenatal Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic
COVID-related concerns influenced shifts in utilization and changes to the delivery of major pregnancy-related services. The expanded use of telemedicine in the maternal care continuum increasingly provided expectant patients with access to healthcare services while adhering to social-distancing guidelines.
PACHA Highlights Need to Address HIV PrEP Coverage Disparities
On March 8–9, the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA) discussed avenues to achieving equitable access to HIV prevention products for at-risk populations as well as next steps in revising the National Strategic Plan to End the HIV Epidemic.
Podcast: Telehealth Barriers and Opportunities for Nutrition Care Arising from the COVID-19 Pandemic
Tune into another episode of Avalere Health Essential Voice. In this segment, we are joined by experienced dietitians to discuss the rise of telehealth in providing nutrition care during the pandemic, as well as barriers and future opportunities in virtual care.
Reducing Maternal Mortality Among Women of Color
Women of color are disproportionately affected by pregnancy-related death in the US, which has a higher maternal mortality rate than 10 other developed nations worldwide.
Investing in Health Disparities: A Framework for Accelerating Action
In response to the COVID-19 public health emergency and recent social events highlighting systemic inequities, life sciences companies have issued bold statements reaffirming their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and health equity.
Podcast: Patient Health, Food Insecurity, and the Impact of Medically Tailored Meals
Tune into another episode of Avalere Health Essential Voice. In this segment, we are joined by experts from nutrition service organizations to discuss the impact of medically tailored meals (MTM) on health outcomes and healthcare costs, and future opportunities to expand their reach through health insurance plans.
Opportunities for Advancing Health Justice in the COVID-19 Era
The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted communities of color since the first cases were identified in the United States.