BACKGROUND: The barriers in accessing healthcare for gay, lesbian and bisexuals individuals are not well explored. These challenges as well as a lack of knowledge concerning this understudied group has prompted the Institute of Medicine to create a research agenda to build a foundational understanding of gay, lesbian and bisexual health and the barriers they encounter.1 the primary aim of this study will be to compare the differences in health care access and utilization between gay/lesbian, bisexual and heterosexual individuals using a large, nationally representative dataset of the U.S. population. METHODS: Data from 2001 to 2012 from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was pooled. Using logistic regression, we calculated the unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios of having health insurance, having a routine place and seeing a provider at least one in the past year. RESULTS: We found that gay men were more likely to have health insurance coverage (ORadj:2.13 95%CI: 1.15,3.92), while bisexual men were at a small disadvantage in having health insurance coverage (ORadj:0.82 95%CI: 0.46,1.46). Bisexual men were more likely to have received health care in the past 12 months (ORadj:3.11 95%CI: 1.74,5.55). Lesbian women were less likely to have health insurance coverage (ORadj-lesbian:0.58 95%CI: 0.34,0.97). CONCLUSION: This study contributed to the limited knowledge on understanding the health care access and utilization among gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals, which was classified as a high priority by the Institute of Medicine. Expanding health insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act and Universal Partnership Coverage may reduce the disparities among gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals.

For many health conditions, African Americans bear a disproportionate burden of disease, injury, death, and disability compared to European Americans. African Americans also use health services less frequently than do European Americans and this underuse of services contributes to health disparities in the United States. Studies have shown that some disparities are present not as a result of poor access to care, but, to a certain extent, as a result of the experiences patients have at their doctors' offices. It is, therefore, essential to understand African American patients' perspectives and experiences with healthcare providers. Past studies have shown that four barriers affect the quality of patient-provider relationships for African Americans: perceived discrimination, medical mistrust, race discordance, and poor communication. The studies, however, have not looked at how these barriers manifest when African Americans speak about their perspectives and experiences with health care providers. This project was a secondary data analysis of qualitative data provided by adult African American community members from Portland, Oregon with diabetes or hypertension or both, each of whom participated in one of 10 focus groups. The focus groups were conducted as part of a study that applied community based participatory research (CBPR) principles to understand patients' experiences with their doctors. Using a deductive approach, this analysis enhanced the understanding of how the barriers play a role in patient-provider relationships. Further, the analysis showed how the barriers are interrelated. In learning African American patients' experiences and perspectives on these four key barriers, the investigator proposes recommendations for healthcare providers as to how they can best deliver quality care for African Americans.

Amid the global pandemic, it becomes more apparent that diabetes is a pressing health concern because racial/ethnic minorities with underlying diabetes conditions have been disproportionately affected. The study proposes a multiyear examination to document the role of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in racial/ethnic disparities in diabetes health. Using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System from 2011 to 2019, the study with a pre-post design investigated changes in access to care and diabetes health among non-White minorities compared with Whites before and after the ACA by conducting multivariable linear regression, with state-fixed effects and robust standard errors. Compared with Whites, racial/ethnic minorities showed significant improvements in health insurance coverage, having a personal doctor, and not seeing a doctor because of cost. Blacks (3.2% points,  ≤ 0.000), Hispanics (1.6% points,  = 0.001), and "other" racial/ethnic group (1.5% points,  = 0.003) experienced a greater increase in diagnosed prediabetes than Whites, whereas no and small differences were found in diagnosed diabetes and obesity, respectively. The yearly comparisons of changes in diagnosed prediabetes showed that Blacks compared with Whites had a growing increase from 1.2% points ( = 0.001) in 2014 to 3.3% points ( = 0.001) in 2019. Insurance coverage has declined after 2016, and obesity had an increasing trend across race/ethnicity. The ACA had a positive role in improving access to care and identifying those at risk for diabetes to a larger extent among racial/ethnic minorities. However, the policy impacts have been diminishing in recent years. Continued efforts are needed for sustained policy effects.

Using data for every elective procedure in 2007 in the English National Health Service, we found evidence of socioeconomic inequality in the probability of having a procedure cancelled after admission while controlling for a range of patient and provider characteristics. Whether this disparity is inequitable is inconclusive.; Using data for every elective procedure in 2007 in the English National Health Service, we found evidence of socioeconomic inequality in the probability of having a procedure cancelled after admission while controlling for a range of patient and provider characteristics. Whether this disparity is inequitable is inconclusive. Copyright A[c] 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.; � Using data for every elective procedure in 2007 in the English National Health Service, we found evidence of socioeconomic inequality in the probability of having a procedure cancelled after admission while controlling for a range of patient and provider characteristics. Whether this disparity is inequitable is inconclusive.

The purpose of this study was to compare and measure the long term effectiveness of the rehabilitative day treatment program at San Bernardino County's Department of Mental Health. This current study was completed in 2005 and is a follow up study tracking the long term effectiveness of the program.

The point of departure in this study was to find a logical structure to answer the research question. In order to do this, the central concept adequate was defined, clarified and linked to the research question while on the same score, concepts related to it were also defined and clarified. The objectives of the study and the conceptual instruments were combined and thereafter linked to HIV/AIDS as a real life phenomenon. The literature reviewed assisted in accessing sources relevant to the topic, in setting the theoretical framework for the study and selecting appropriate tools to measure and evaluate the adequacy of governmental health and welfare interventions. The theoretical framework of the study is informed by the idea that the Government has obligations in terms of a social contract with society. On this basis, a conceptual instrument was built, bearing in mind section 2 of the 1996 Constitution. The evaluation criteria used involves collection and sifting through information and data while on the same score, making judgements about the validity of information obtained and deriving inferences from such information. / Public Administration / M. Admin. (Public Administration)

Background: The South Africa’s reproductive health policy put more emphasis on dual methods in preventing unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) transmission. Regardless of such policies, the uptake of voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) services remains a personal choice. Aim: The purpose of the study was to determine the accessibility, acceptance and utilisation of VCT services by women on hormonal contraceptives. Methods: About 134 women obtaining hormonal contraceptives were interviewed in a cross-sectional study. Descriptive and logistic regression analysis was applied to analyse the study data. Results: Respondents displayed positive attitudes towards Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) testing. Unavailability and poor access to in-house VCT services was found to be a barrier for use of these services. Conclusion: There’s a need for provider initiated counselling and testing (PICT) strengthening and integration of VCT services into family planning. / Health Studies / M (Public Health) / 362.104256

This study explored and described the experiences of Eritrean immigrants regarding utilisation of healthcare services in Indianapolis. Qualitative descriptive phenomenological design was utilised. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview format, on eight conveniently selected Eritrean immigrants, living in Indianapolis. Data were analysed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis Framework for data analysis. Three superordinate themes emerged from data analysis: Healthcare financing system, Positive side of healthcare services and Challenges related to utilisation of healthcare service. All these factors have an impact on the utilisation of the Healthcare services by Eritrean immigrants. Recommendations have been put forward to advocate for policy change regarding financing of healthcare services for immigrants and improved healthcare services to accommodate cultural diversity. Further research should be conducted on ways of improving utilisation of healthcare services by Eritrean immigrants in Indianapolis. / Public Health / M.A. (Health Studies)

Este estudo avaliou a repercussão da implantação Complexo Regulador (CR) do Sistema Público Municipal de Serviços de Saúde para a rede de atenção de Ribeirão Preto-SP. Teve por aporte teórico a avaliação em saúde e como objetivos específicos: avaliar o alcance do CR, de acordo com a dimensão cobertura, nos anos de 2004, 2005 e 2006; avaliar o efeito do CR de acordo com a dimensão efetividade social. Estudo de avaliação normativa e pesquisa avaliativa, sendo adotada abordagem quanti-qualitativa. O cenário foi o CR, em RP/SP, em seu espaço funcional e organizacional de operação das ações regulatórias do sistema de atenção, implantado na Secretaria Municipal da Saúde. As fontes primárias, produzidas junto aos trabalhadores de diferentes categorias profissionais que atuavam na gestão e no nível operacional do CR, foram coletadas por meio de entrevista estruturada tendo como eixo temático: implantação do CR, sua função de ferramenta operacional para atenção básica e a relação entre a intervenção proposta e os resultados alcançados. As fontes secundárias foram: documentos oficiais existentes sobre o CR, Atas do Conselho Municipal de Saúde; artigos de jornais locais, Sistema de Informação Ambulatorial e Hospitalar do DATASUS. Para organização dos indicadores de análise, elaborou-se planilha específica, com dados relativos aos indicadores de cobertura: Indicador de Consultas Básicas; Indicador de Consultas Especializadas, Indicador de Internações de Baixa e Média Complexidade; Indicador de Internações de Alta Complexidade. Na análise dos dados primários, foi realizada a análise temática, sendo articulada à análise dos indicadores produzidos. O estudo mostrou que: o CR provocou alterações na acessibilidade organizacional e eqüidade da rede de saúde, tanto na atenção ambulatorial quanto hospitalar; destacou necessidade de constituição de rede solidária de atenção e apresentou a potência da estratégia em ser ferramenta profícua de avaliação e de gestão. A implantação do CR alterou significativamente o processo de trabalho dos sujeitos. A avaliação ainda apontou que, apesar do pouco tempo de implantação, a estratégia do CR é potencialmente capaz de colaborar na sustentabilidade do SUS, mas se fazem necessários: investimento, divulgação e aperfeiçoamento. / This study aimed to evaluate the publicity of the implementation of the Regulator Complex (CR) of the Municipal Public System of Health Services for the care network of Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. The health evaluation provided the theoretical framework and the specific objectives were: evaluate the CR scope according to the coverage dimension in 2004, 2005 and 2006; evaluate the CR effect in terms of social effectiveness. This is a normative evaluation and an evaluative research with a quantitative qualitative approach. The scenario was the CR in RP/SP in its functional and organizational space of regulatory actions operation of the care system implemented in the Municipal Secretary of Health. The primary sources produced with workers of different professional categories who acted in the CR management and in its operational level were collected through structured interview according to the following thematic axis: implementation of the CR, its function as operational tool for the primary care and the relation between the proposed intervention and the results accomplished. The secondary sources were: CR official documents, Minutes of the Municipal Council of Health; local newspapers, outpatient and hospital DATASUS Information System. For the organization of the analysis indexes, a specific data sheet was elaborated, with data related to the coverage indexes: Primary Consultation index; Specialized Consultation Index, Low and Medium Complexity Hospitalizations Index; High Complexity Hospitalization Index. The thematic analysis was used for the primary data which was coordinated with the indexes produced. The study showed that: the CR caused alterations on the organizational accessibility and equity in the health network, both in the outpatient and the hospital care; highlighted the need of creating a comprehensive care network and presented the power of the strategy as a proficient evaluation and management tool. The CR implementation changed significantly the subjects\' work process. The evaluation also pointed that despite the little time of implementation, the CR strategy has potential to benefit the SUS sustainability, though investment, publicity and improvement are necessary.

O estudo teve por objetivo analisar a demanda ao Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência de Porto Alegre (SAMU) considerada não pertinente pelo serviço (DNP), a partir da agência dos solicitantes cujos agravos de saúde deram origem a essa demanda. A não pertinência fica estabelecida quando o caso não se configura, para o médico regulador, em situação que envolve risco à vida, sendo desnecessário, portanto, o envio de ambulâncias para o atendimento. A investigação ocorreu em duas etapas. Na primeira, realizou-se a análise das ligações telefônicas ao SAMU do ano de 2009. Esses dados foram analisados no Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Na segunda etapa, foram entrevistados 31 solicitantes da DNP desse mesmo ano. As entrevistas, semiestruturadas, foram analisadas seguindo as premissas da Grounded Theory. Os conceitos da Teoria da Estruturação, de Anthony Giddens, contribuíram para a análise. Entre os resultados, destaca-se que, em 2009, a DNP ao SAMU de Porto Alegre representou 33,2% (26.233) das chamadas telefônicas dirigidas ao 192. As chamadas mais frequentes partiram do sexo feminino (53%), faixa etária dos 20 aos 39 anos (32,8%), em domingos e sextas-feiras (15,2%), no mês de julho (10,2%), tipo de socorro clínico (45%) e subtipo de socorro orientação (26%). Na análise qualitativa, descrevem-se elementos da DNP relacionados à agência dos solicitantes da DNP e à estrutura por eles escolhida para atendimento de um agravo de saúde. Esses elementos são de natureza biológica, econômica, social e cultural e são produtos e produtores da DNP. A caracterização e a análise da DNP subsidiam a proposta de que enfermeiros atuem em oficinas de primeiros socorros para problematizar esse assunto – que tem sido tratado como de domínio dos profissionais da saúde – com a comunidade. A outra sugestão é resolver o problema da DNP no âmbito intersetorial, formando e articulando entre si redes sociais, de serviços de saúde, do setor de ensino, do setor da assistência social, da segurança, do transporte, entre outros. / The study aimed to examine the demand to the Mobile Emergency Care Service (SAMU) considered non pertinent by the department (DNP) from the agency of applicants whose injuries caused this demand. This non pertinence is established when the case is not configured, by the regulator physician, as life-threatening situation, being unnecessary, therefore, sending ambulances to attend. The investigation occurred in two stages. At first, it was made an analysis of telephone calls at SAMU in 2009. These data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. In the second stage, 31 applicants from the DNP of that same year were interviewed. Semi-structured interviews were examined following the premises of Grounded Theory. The concepts of Anthony Giddens’s Theory of Structuration contributed to the analysis. Among the results, it is highlighted that, in 2009, the DNP to SAMU of Porto Alegre represented 33.2% (26,233) of calls directed to 192. The most frequent calls came from females (53%), aged to 20 to 39 years (32.8%), on Sundays and Fridays (15.2%), of clinical relief type (45%) and orientation relief sub-type (26%). In qualitative analysis, there are described elements of DNP related to the agency of applicants of DNP and the structure chosen by them to treat a health injury. These are elements of biological, economic, social and cultural nature and are products and producers of DNP. The characterization and analysis of DNP subsidize the proposal that nurses act in first aid workshops to discuss this issue – which has been treated as a domain of health professionals – with the community. The other suggestion is to solve the problem of DNP in intersectoral scope, creating and articulating together social networks, health services, education sector, social assistance sector, security, transport, among others. / El estudio tuvo el objetivo de analizar la demanda del Servicio de Atendimiento Móvil de Urgencia de Porto Alegre (SAMU) considerada no pertinente por el servicio (DNP), a partir de la agencia de los solicitantes cuyos agravios de salud dieron origen a esta demanda. La no pertinencia queda establecida cuando el caso no se configura, para el médico regulador, en situación que envuelve riesgo a la vida, siendo desnecesario, por lo tanto, el envío de ambulancias para el atendimiento. La investigación se desarrolló en dos etapas. En la primera, se hizo el análisis de las llamadas telefónicas al SAMU del año de 2009. Estos datos fueron analizados en el Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. En la segunda etapa, fueron entrevistados 31 solicitantes de la DNP de ese mismo año. Las entrevistas semiestructuradas fueron analizadas siguiendo las premisas de la Grounded Theory. Los conceptos de la Teoría de la Estructuración, de Anthony Giddens, contribuyeron para el análisis. Entre los resultados, se destaca que, en 2009, la DNP al SAMU de Porto Alegre representó 33,2% (26.233) de las llamadas telefónicas dirigidas al 192. Las llamadas más frecuentes partieron del sexo femenino (53%), faja etaria de los 20 a los 39 años (32,8%), en los domingos y viernes (15,2%), en el mes de julio (10,2%), clase de socorro clínico (45%) y subclase de socorro orientación (26%). En el análisis cualitativo, se describen elementos de la DNP relacionados a la agencia de los solicitantes de la DNP y a la estructura por ellos escogida para atendimiento de un agravio de salud. Estos elementos son de naturaleza biológica, económica, social y cultural y son productos y productores de la DNP. La caracterización y el análisis de la DNP subsidian la propuesta de que los enfermeros actúen en talleres de primeros socorros para problematizar ese asunto – que ha sido tratado como de dominio de los profesionales de salud – con la comunidad. La otra sugestión es resolver el problema de la DNP en el ámbito intersectorial, formando y articulando, entre sí, redes sociales, de servicios de salud, del sector de enseñanza, del sector de la asistencia social, de la seguridad y del transporte, entre otros.