Receipt of transition services within a medical home: do racial and geographic disparities exist?
OBJECTIVE
(1) Rank states and southern region by racial disparity between black and white Youth with Special Health Care Needs (YSHCN) for Healthcare Transition receipt; (2) Determine if a racial and geographic disparity exists after control of characteristics.


METHODS
The 05/06 National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs data were used. A composite of Medical Home and Transition Outcome Measures captured Healthcare Transition. If both were met, Healthcare Transition was received; otherwise, if neither were met, it was not received. Race was grouped as Non-Hispanic black or white. Census Bureau regions defined geography. South was categorized as Deep South or remaining southern states. Characteristics included sex, age, health condition effect, education, poverty, adequate insurance, and metropolitan status. Observations were limited to YSHCN. Chi-square and logistic regression were conducted. Alpha was set to .05.


RESULTS
A national 42% healthcare transition rate, and 25% racial gap was calculated (higher rate among white YSHCN). White YSHCN had more than twice, and Midwestern had 44% higher Healthcare Transition odds in regression analysis; sex, health condition effect, insurance, and education remained significant. For the Southern region, the Healthcare Transition rate was 38% with a 26% racial gap. White YSHCN had about 2.6 higher odds, and southern geography was not associated in regression analysis. Education, poverty, adequate insurance, and health condition effect remained significant.


CONCLUSIONS
A low Healthcare Transition rate was found, and disparities are poignant. Culturally salient intervention programs to address racial and geographic disparities are needed for Healthcare Transition eligible YSHCN.
Richmond
Nicole
N
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics/Louisiana Office of Public Health, Children's Special Health Services Program, 1010 Common Street Suite 610, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA. Nicole.Richmond@la.gov
Tran
Tri
T
Berry
Susan
S
D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015146:Midwestern United States; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D015144:Southeastern United States; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data