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Influence of Usual Source of Care on Differences by Race/Ethnicity in Receipt of Preventive Services

  1. Giselle Corbie-Smith MD, MSc*,
  2. Elaine W. Flagg PhD,
  3. Joyce P. Doyle MD,
  4. Megan A. O'Brien MPH

Article first published online: 24 JUL 2002

DOI: 10.1046/j.1525-1497.2002.10733.x

Issue

Journal of General Internal Medicine

Journal of General Internal Medicine

Volume 17, Issue 6, pages 458–464, June 2002

Additional Information

How to Cite

Corbie-Smith, G., Flagg, E. W., Doyle, J. P. and O'Brien, M. A. (2002), Influence of Usual Source of Care on Differences by Race/Ethnicity in Receipt of Preventive Services. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 17: 458–464. doi: 10.1046/j.1525-1497.2002.10733.x

Author Information

  1. Received from the Departments of Social Medicine and Internal Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (GC-S), Chapel Hill, NC; the Division of General Internal Medicine, Emory University (EWF, JPD); and Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University (EWF, MAO), Atlanta, Ga.

*Address correspondence and requests for reprints to Dr. Corbie-Smith: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB#7240, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7240 (e-mail: gcorbie@med.unc.edu).

  1. Presented in part at the 23rd annual national meeting of the Society of General Internal Medicine, May 2000, Boston, Mass.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 24 JUL 2002
  2. Article first published online: 24 JUL 2002

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Keywords:

  • race/ethnicity;
  • preventive services;
  • usual source of care;
  • .

OBJECTIVE: We examined the relation between race/ethnicity and receipt of preventive services and the effect of having a usual source of care (USOC) on receipt of preventive services in different racial and ethnic groups.

DESIGN/PARTICIPANTS: We analyzed data from adults, aged 18 to 64 years in the Household Component of the 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, a nationally representative survey of health care use for the United States.

MEASUREMENTS: The proportion of adults who received age-appropriate preventive services.

RESULTS: Compared to white respondents, Hispanics were less likely to receive breast exams and blood pressure and cholesterol screening than were white respondents, and blacks were more likely to report receiving a Pap smear. Despite being less likely to report having a USOC, black and Hispanic women were as likely or more likely to report receiving breast and cervical cancer screening, after controlling for having a USOC and other factors. Hispanics reported receiving blood pressure screening less often, and blacks reported receiving more cholesterol screening. For each race/ethnicity group, having a USOC was associated with receiving preventive services. However, controlling for USOC and other confounders attenuated, but did not eliminate, differences by race/ethnicity.

CONCLUSION: The differences by race in receipt of preventive services suggest the need for different starting points for devising strategies to address racial differences in disease outcomes. While having a USOC will be important in narrowing the differences by race in receipt of preventive services, attending to other factors that contribute to disparities in health will also be essential.

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