June 2023
Volume 64, Issue 8
Open Access
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   June 2023
Disparities in healthcare access for adults with self-reported vision impairment in the U.S.
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • Varshini Varadaraj
    Johns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
  • Franz Castro
    Johns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
  • Bonnielin K Swenor
    Johns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships   Varshini Varadaraj None; Franz Castro None; Bonnielin Swenor None
  • Footnotes
    Support  None
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science June 2023, Vol.64, 4241. doi:
  • Views
  • Share
  • Tools
    • Alerts
      ×
      This feature is available to authenticated users only.
      Sign In or Create an Account ×
    • Get Citation

      Varshini Varadaraj, Franz Castro, Bonnielin K Swenor; Disparities in healthcare access for adults with self-reported vision impairment in the U.S.. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2023;64(8):4241.

      Download citation file:


      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

      ×
  • Supplements
Abstract

Purpose : To examine the association of self-reported vision impairment (VI) with measures of difficulty accessing healthcare

Methods : We used cross-sectional Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data, pooled across years 2019-2021. BRFSS participants included a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults ≥18 years whose responses were collected via state-based telephone interviews. Survey weighted, age-standardized, multivariable logistic regression models, adjusted for relevant sociodemographic confounders, were used to examine the association of VI (self-reported blindness/serious difficulty seeing) with four measures of healthcare access difficulty: (1) absence of healthcare insurance coverage, (2) absence of a primary care physician [PCP], (3) >1 year since last health checkup, and (4) could not afford care).

Results : Among 1,258,919 adults, the majority were ≥45 years (54%), female (51%), and White (62%), and 5% reported VI. From 2019 to 2021, greater proportions of adults with VI had no healthcare insurance coverage and could not afford care, as compared to adults without VI (Figure 1). In multivariable logistic regression models, adults with VI had greater odds of reporting absence of healthcare coverage (OR=1.2, 95%CI=1.2-1.4]), absence of a PCP (OR=1.1, 95%CI=1.0-1.2), >1 year since last checkup (OR=1.1, 95%CI=1.0-1.2), and not affording healthcare (OR=1.9, 95%CI=1.8-2.0), than adults without VI. Also, Black race (vs. White), Hispanic ethnicity (vs. not Hispanic), and being gay/lesbian/bisexual (vs. straight) was associated with greater difficulty accessing healthcare across all four models.

Conclusions : Adults with VI face greater challenges accessing healthcare than peers without VI. Further, racial, ethnic, and sexual minorities also experience healthcare access disparities. Identifying these barriers is crucial to ensuring equitable healthcare access to maintain health and prevent illness among all Americans.

This abstract was presented at the 2023 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in New Orleans, LA, April 23-27, 2023.

 

Healthcare access by year across vision impairment status, BRFSS 2019-2021

Healthcare access by year across vision impairment status, BRFSS 2019-2021

×
×

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

Sign in or purchase a subscription to access this content. ×

You must be signed into an individual account to use this feature.

×