Health insurance, neighborhood income, and emergency department usage by Utah children 1996–1998

BACKGROUND: It is estimated that approximately half of emergency department (ED) usage in the U.S. and other developed countries is for non-urgent conditions and that this usage is related to availability, social, and economic factors. We examined pediatric ED usage in a U.S. state with respect to income, health insurance status, types of medical conditions, and whether introduction of managed care affected utilization by Medicaid children. METHODS: Emergency department usage rates were calculated from 1996 through 1998 using Utah ED data for children with commercial health insurance, Medicaid, for uninsured children, and by income group estimating neighborhood household income from Zip code of residence. We analyzed usage following the July 1996 transition of Utah Medicaid to managed care. RESULTS: Children with Medicaid had approximately 50% greater ED utilization rates than children with commercial health insurance or uninsured children. The majority of usage for Medicaid and uninsured children was for non-traumatic conditions. Only 35% of total ED usage was for non-emergent or non-urgent conditions and this was related to both Medicaid and low household income. Children lacking health insurance were more likely to be discharged against medical advice (OR = 2.36, 95% C.I. 1.88–2.96). There was no reduction in Medicaid ED usage following the transition to managed care. CONCLUSION: Usage of ED services is related to both health insurance status and income. Children lacking health insurance and Medicaid children have excessive usage for conditions which could be treated in a primary care setting. That managed care does not reduce Medicaid ED usage is consistent with findings of other studies

1996 Health Status Survey Health Status in Utah - The Medical Outcomes Study SF12

Health Status can be measured in a variety of ways, including rates of mortality from various causes, incidence or prevalence of disease and disability, utilization of health care, and self-reports from individuals. Each method has strengths and weaknesses on a variety of dimensions, such as how well it represents the actual current health status of a population, whether it can be applied at the individual level, whether it focuses on the health of individuals in a health care system versus the system itself, and how easy it is to produce and analyze. The survey included a variety of measures of health status, including disease prevalence, disability, behavioral risk factors, health care utilization, and perceived general health status

Access to Physical and Mental Wellness Programs

Population Health Sciences (PHS) is a relatively new department established in 2016, located in the lower level of the Williams Building. By improving access to physical and mental wellness resources, we aim to decrease faculty and staff burnout. PHS drives health care transformation and aims to be a hub for education, investigation, and expertise in health services, cost, quality, outcomes, and health delivery systems research. The department provides methodological expertise and infrastructure that will advance capacity for population health scientists to pursue impact-driven research and allow clinical professionals to provide better patient and population-oriented care in an increasingly complex health care delivery system

Women's Health In Utah

This report is intended to inform those men and women who make social and health policy as well as those who benefit or suffer because of it. It begins by presenting general social and demographic factors that affect women's health. Chapters 2 and 3 describe health status differences between Utah men and women and among women of different social, economic, and educational backgrounds. Chapters 4 through 6 describe specific issues and conditions that affect women's health and some of the lifestyles and behaviors that can affect women's health. public health concern though it is not a new problem. Chapter 8 describes aspects of the health care system, including access and utilization issues, and Chapter 9 discusses how health care reform in Utah is important for women's health. Finally, Chapter 10 attempts to synthesize the information provided here -Where We Are Now - and to describe where women want to be and what needs to be done to get there

1996 Health Status Survey - Health Care Access and Utilization

Assuring access to health care has been defined by the Institute of Medicine as one of the key functions of government in public health. In addition to the ability to access medical care for an acute medical problem, having a primary health care provider, or a "medical home" is also believed to promote health. A person's primary provider has access to his or her medical records, and is able to provide higher quality care by considering the medical and social context of a problem or condition. Routine preventive health visits are another way to promote health in the population. Preventive screening tests, such as Pap smear and blood pressure testing, can detect problems early, often while they are curable. Routine preventive visits also provide an opportunity for doctors to communicate with patients about healthy lifestyle choices. The following topics are covered in this report: Reported problems with access to care ;Use of a primary health care provider ;Usual point of access to health care and emergency department/urgent care center use ;Outpatient medical visits in last 12 months ;Routine preventive health visit in last 12 months ;Hospital visits in last 12 months ;Mental health status (adults age 18+) ;Mental health care utilization (adults age 18+

Hospitalizations for Conditions Related to Lifestyle or Behavior

Utah Hospital Inpatient Discharge Data: Hospitalizations for conditions related to lifestyle or behavior. Standard Report II (ST-2 92-93)

1996 Health Status Survey - Lifestyle Factors in Utah

It is clear from research that choices people make about health behaviors can substantially increase or decrease their risk of life threatening conditions including heart disease, cancer, and injuries. Public health efforts to prevent chronic disease encourage people to eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables and low in fat, get regular exercise, avoid excessive alcohol consumption, and not smoke. Excessive alcohol consumption also increases risk of injury especially of motor vehicle crash, the leading cause of death for young people. Healthy behaviors are of benefit to individuals, and due to the high prevalence of heart disease, stroke and cancer, small changes in lifestyle choices of individuals can have a large impact on the overall health of a population. The purpose of this report is to identify the prevalence of selected behaviors that are important determinants of health for the people of Utah, based on results of the 1996 Health Status Survey

Restoring Balance Self-Care Retreats

Caring professionals are at high risk of burnout. The oncology setting is particularly challenging for health care professionals.The Restoring Balance retreat offers a one-day intensive that helps participants gain insights into sources of burnout, and teaches tools that can be used to alleviate stress and allow for balance between caring for others and caring for the self. This one-day retreat was associated with improvements in emotional exhaustion that were present 3 months after the workshop. Future plans will be to do a more rigorous assessment of these workshops for nurses

1996 Health Status Survey - Health Insurance Coverage

Health care in America is financed primarily through a mix of public and private insurance, but many still lack financial access to basic services and financial protection against the high costs of illness. Utah has recently initiated several health insurance policy reforms to expand coverage to uninsured populations, and to promote continuity of coverage. Health Insurance Coverage describes the health insurance status of Utahns in 1996, based on data from the 1996 Utah Health Status Survey