Racial/ethnic differences in preferences for the EQ-5D health states: results from the U.S. valuation study.
OBJECTIVE
We examined differences in preferences for the EQ-5D health states among blacks, Hispanics, and others living in the United States.


METHODS
A multi-stage probability sample was selected from the adult U.S. population. Each respondent valued a subset of the 243 EQ-5D health states. Regression analysis was used to analyze differences in mean valuations for 13 health states among the racial/ethnic groups. First, we compared unadjusted mean valuations among the three groups. Second, we evaluated differences in mean valuations among the groups after adjusting for other sociodemographic characteristics. Third, we evaluated the impact of race/ethnicity on estimates derived from the U.S. health state valuation (i.e., D1) model.


RESULTS
Valuations differed among the groups for seven of the 13 health states, and these differences persisted after adjusting for other sociodemographic factors. Blacks appeared to perceive extreme health problems to be associated with less disutility than did members of the other two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Within the United States, there exist racial/ethnic differences in the perceived desirability of the EQ-5D health states that cannot be readily explained by socioeconomic disparities.
Shaw
James W
JW
Department of Pharmacy Administration, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, 833 South Wood Street, M/C 871, Chicago, IL 60612-7231, USA. jw.shaw@uic.edu
Johnson
Jeffrey A
JA
Chen
Shijie
S
Levin
Joel R
JR
Coons
Stephen Joel
SJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001294:Attitude to Health; D044383:Black People / Q000523:psychology; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000191:economics; D006304:Health Status; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D011788:Quality of Life; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States / Q000208:ethnology; D026712:Value of Life; D001741:Black or African American