View in EDS

Exploring Disparities in Influenza Immunization for Older Women.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Exploring Disparities in Influenza Immunization for Older Women.
Authors: MacCarthy, Sarah (AUTHOR), Burkhart, Q (AUTHOR), Haviland, Amelia M. (AUTHOR), Dembosky, Jacob W. (AUTHOR), Wilson‐Frederick, Shondelle (AUTHOR), Saliba, Debra (AUTHOR), Gaillot, Sarah (AUTHOR), Elliott, Marc N. (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Jun2019, Vol. 67 Issue 6, p1268-1272. 5p. 2 Charts.
Subjects: Health equity, Influenza vaccines, Medical care of older women, Immunization of older people, Gender differences (Sociology), Medical care of Black women, Health of older women, Older Hispanic American women, Preventive medicine, Mortality prevention, Black people, Ethnic groups, Health services accessibility, Insurance, Medicare, Men's health, Preventive health services, Race, Self-evaluation, Sex distribution, Surveys, Women's health, Educational attainment, Cross-sectional method, Fee for service (Medical fees)
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: While women obtain most recommended preventive health interventions more often than men, evidence is mixed regarding influenza vaccination for older adults. Therefore, we evaluated sex differences in influenza vaccination among older adults. DESIGN: Nationally representative cross‐sectional survey. SETTING: United States. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1 252 705 adults, aged 65 years and older, responding to 2013 to 2017 Medicare Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems surveys. MEASUREMENTS: The dependent variable was Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set self‐reported influenza immunization. The primary predictor was sex. Covariates included general health status, education, race/ethnicity, and Medicare Advantage (MA; managed care) vs Fee‐for‐Service (FFS) coverage. RESULTS: After adjusting for health status and other sociodemographic factors, women's immunization was 2% lower than men's immunization in MA, with no significant overall sex difference in FFS. Women were immunized less often than men in 95% of MA health plans, with the largest gaps in low‐immunizing plans. Further analyses revealed variation in sex differences by health status, education, and race/ethnicity in both MA and FFS. Notably in MA, women in poor health were immunized less often than men in similar health (−4%; P < .001). Black women were immunized much less often than black men in both MA and FFS (−5%; P < .001 for each). Hispanic women were immunized less often than Hispanic men in MA (−4%; P < .001) but not within FFS. CONCLUSION: Women in MA experience small disparities overall in influenza immunization, with larger disparities for black and Hispanic women. Providers and MA plans should increase efforts to recommend and monitor immunization for older women, especially black and Hispanic women and those in poor health. Given the potential to reduce morbidity and mortality, equitable access to a critical preventive health service, such as influenza immunization, is crucial for all older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Journal of the American Geriatrics Society is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
Description
Abstract:OBJECTIVES: While women obtain most recommended preventive health interventions more often than men, evidence is mixed regarding influenza vaccination for older adults. Therefore, we evaluated sex differences in influenza vaccination among older adults. DESIGN: Nationally representative cross‐sectional survey. SETTING: United States. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1 252 705 adults, aged 65 years and older, responding to 2013 to 2017 Medicare Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems surveys. MEASUREMENTS: The dependent variable was Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set self‐reported influenza immunization. The primary predictor was sex. Covariates included general health status, education, race/ethnicity, and Medicare Advantage (MA; managed care) vs Fee‐for‐Service (FFS) coverage. RESULTS: After adjusting for health status and other sociodemographic factors, women's immunization was 2% lower than men's immunization in MA, with no significant overall sex difference in FFS. Women were immunized less often than men in 95% of MA health plans, with the largest gaps in low‐immunizing plans. Further analyses revealed variation in sex differences by health status, education, and race/ethnicity in both MA and FFS. Notably in MA, women in poor health were immunized less often than men in similar health (−4%; P < .001). Black women were immunized much less often than black men in both MA and FFS (−5%; P < .001 for each). Hispanic women were immunized less often than Hispanic men in MA (−4%; P < .001) but not within FFS. CONCLUSION: Women in MA experience small disparities overall in influenza immunization, with larger disparities for black and Hispanic women. Providers and MA plans should increase efforts to recommend and monitor immunization for older women, especially black and Hispanic women and those in poor health. Given the potential to reduce morbidity and mortality, equitable access to a critical preventive health service, such as influenza immunization, is crucial for all older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:00028614
DOI:10.1111/jgs.15887