The NOAHE Health Economics and Technology Assessment Rounds are presented by the Institute of Health Economics, the University of Calgary Health Economics Group and HTA Unit, and the University of Alberta Health Economics Unit. Their aim is to advance health economics research and support evidence-based health policy, to improve the health outcomes of Canadians.
Round Objectives
- To present research on topics of relevance to Health Economists, trainees, and policy makers across Alberta.
- To bring experts in Health Economics to Alberta to present on cutting edge research.
- To encourage collaboration and discourse between Alberta health economists, and with policy makers.
Please note that the views expressed in this series and other deliverables associated with NOAHE are not necessarily representative of any particular organization involved.
Upcoming Session Information
*Individual session information will be updated as available*
Oct 20, 2021,12:00 - 1:00 PM MT
Perceived Discrimination and Cost-related non-Utilization of Healthcare Services, presented by Dr. Eberechukwu Onukwugha
Objective: To determine whether the relationship between perceived discrimination (PD) and cost-related non-utilization (CRNU) of healthcare services can be explained by Andersen’s predisposing, need, and enabling factors. The available evidence does not describe the explanatory roles of demographic, health, and financial factors, which limits our understanding of PD and CRNU.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study using the 2014 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System dataset, a state-based survey of US adults aged 18 and older. We utilized the most recent data on five “Reactions to Race” (R2R) items that measured PD. Binary CRNU outcomes were: 1) did not visit a physician due to cost (CRNU_visit); 2) did not fill a prescription due to cost (CRNU_rx). We estimated model coefficients using sequential logistic regression models. The crude model (M0) included only the R2R variables. Subsequent models sequentially added predisposing (M1), need (M2), and enabling (M3) variables. We examined the percentage change in the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) across models.
Results: The final sample included 18,707 respondents. The proportions for African Americans, Hispanics, and females were 9.3%, 13.6%, and 50.1%, respectively. The proportions for CRNU_visit and CRNU_rx were 14.1% and 8.9%, respectively. Across all models, R2R variables were positively associated with CRNU. The percentage reductions in the AIC for the CRNU models were: CRNU_visit: 4.8% (M1 vs. M0), 3.7% (M2 vs. M1), and 15.5% (M3 vs. M2); CRNU_rx: 3.3%, 6.8%, and 9.4%. The number of statistically significant R2R variables in the CRNU_visit models fell from 4 (M0; crude) to 2 (M3; fully adjusted). The number of statistically significant R2R variables in the CRNU_rx models fell from 5 (M0; crude) to 1 (M3; fully adjusted).
Conclusion: Across sequential models of CRNU, model fit improved the most when enabling factors were included. Enabling factors partly explained the positive association between PD and CRNU.
Presenter information: Eberechukwu Onukwugha, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research; Executive Director, Pharmaceutical Research Computing.
Dr. Onukwugha’s research interests are in cost analysis, health disparities, and medical decision-making by individuals and institutions. She examines the costs and outcomes associated with health-related decisions as well as the institutional and geographic contexts framing individuals’ health-related decisions. The health-related decisions of interest include medication compliance, post-discharge care, and compliance with treatment guidelines in the oncology and cardiovascular disease settings.
Date: October 20, 2021
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm (MT)
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Nov 17, 2021 - Ms Erin Kirwin, Institute of Health Economics Click here to register!
Dec 15, 2021 - Click here to register!
Jan 19, 2022 - Dr Beth Parkinson, University of Manchester Click here to register!
Feb 16, 2022 - Click here to register!
Mar 16, 2022 - Click here to register!
Apr 20, 2022 - Click here to register!
May 18, 2022 - Click here to register!
NOTE: All NOAHE Rounds V Sessions will be online-only.
