06 Oct Higher Income Inequality Associated With Higher Medicare Expenditures

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Diego Lopez
Harvard medical student and
Dr. Andrew Loehrer MD
former surgical resident at MGH
senior author:
David C. Chang, PhD, MPH, MBA
Associate Professor of Surgery
Director of Healthcare Research and Policy Development
Department of Surgery
Massachusetts General Hospital
Harvard Medical School

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Response: Income inequality in the United States has been increasing in recent decades, and has become an important in this election cycle. Although income inequality is often framed in terms of its effects on politics and the economy, little attention has been paid to its effect on the healthcare system. In our study, we set out to evaluate the way in which counties with differing levels of income inequality made use of the healthcare system while controlling for the overall income (as well as other demographic variables).

We found that areas with higher income inequality were associated with higher Medicare expenditures.  And these effects are independent of – meaning they are in addition to – the known effect of poverty on healthcare utilization.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: Income inequality contributes to high health care cost, both at the higher end of the income spectrum (through high use of discretionary procedures) as well as the lower end of the income spectrum (through inefficient care leading to more preventable hospital admissions). Addressing this inequality may help to improve the cost, efficiency, and quality of healthcare for our country.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: Income inequality is not just an economic issue; it is also a healthcare issue.

MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.

Citation:

Journal of the American College of Surgeons
Volume 223, Issue 4, October 2016, Pages 587–594

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2016.07.005
Diego B. López,AB,Andrew P. Loehrer,MD, MPH,
David C. Chang,PhD, MBA, MPH

Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.

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Last Updated on October 6, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD