title: Barriers and disparities in emergency medical services 911 calls for stroke symptoms in the United States adult population: 2009 BRFSS Survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study examines barriers and disparities in the intentions of American citizens, when dealing with stroke symptoms, to call 911. This study hypothesizes that low socioeconomic populations are less likely to call 911 in response to stroke recognition.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study is a cross-sectional design analyzing data from the Centers for Disease Control's 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, collected through a telephone-based survey from 18 states and the District of Columbia. The study identified the 5 most evident stroke-warning symptoms based on those given by the American Stroke Association. We conducted appropriate weighting procedures to account for the complex survey design.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 131,988 respondents answered the following question: "If you thought someone was having a heart attack or a stroke, what is the first thing you would do?" A majority of those who said they would call 911 were insured (85.1%), had good health (84.1%), had no stroke history (97.3%), had a primary care physician (PCP) (81.4%), and had no burden of medical costs (84.9%). Those less likely to call 911 were found in the following groups: 65 years or older, men, other race, unmarried, less than or equal to high school degree, less than $25,000 family income, uninsured, no PCP, burden of medical costs, fair/poor health, previous history of strokes, or interaction between burden of medical costs and less than $50,000 family income (p<0.0001 by X(2) tests). The only factors significantly associated with "would call 911" were age, sex, race/ethnicity, marital status, and previous history of strokes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Barriers and disparities exist among subpopulations of different socioeconomic statuses. This study suggests that some potential stroke victims could have limited access to EMS services. Greater effort targeting certain populations is needed to motivate citizens to call 911.
authors.affiliation: Management, Policy and Community Health Division, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Munseok
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.affiliation: Management, Policy and Community Health Division, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Begley
authors.affiliation: Management, Policy and Community Health Division, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Langabeer
authors.affiliation: Virginia Commonwealth University, Department of Health Administration, Richmond, Virginia.
authors.forename: Jami L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: DelliFraine
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000592:standards / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000628:therapy; D020521:Stroke / Q000628:therapy*; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult