Avoidable hospitalizations and socio-economic status in Galveston County, Texas.
Population-based hospitalization rates for preventable conditions are derived for a low-income population in Galveston County, Texas using discharge data from four area hospitals and demographic data from the U.S. Census. Comparisons are made with similar rates for the general populations of two eastern states (Maryland and Massachusetts) and New York City. Results support the hypothesis that low-income persons lack access to primary care, leading to higher rates of hospitalization for preventable conditions. Alternative explanations for differences found are examined.
School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston 77225.
C E
CE
Begley
C H
CH
Slater
M J
MJ
Engel
T F
TF
Reynolds
D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics*; D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011203:Poverty; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000191:economics*; D011322:Primary Prevention; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology