Abstract
Purpose :
This study examines disparities in healthcare utilization and access between Hispanic and non-Hispanic White populations in the context of uveitis, an inflammatory eye condition that can threaten vision. Our goal was to understand healthcare usage patterns, identify barriers, and offer insights for interventions to improve health access for Hispanics affected by uveitis.
Methods :
Utilizing data from the NIH “All of Us” Research Program, we investigated the relationship between healthcare access and utilization among Hispanics and Non-Hispanic Whites diagnosed with uveitis.
Results :
Our findings indicate that Hispanics with a history of uveitis are 2.31 times more likely to forgo necessary follow-up care due to affordability issues (OR = 2.31, 95% CI: 1.12 - 4.50, p = 0.01). Additionally, they are 2.26 times more likely to delay seeking medical care due to work-related time constraints (OR = 2.26, 95% CI: 1.22 - 4.03, p = 0.01). Compared to non-Hispanic Whites, Hispanic uveitis patients place higher importance on healthcare provider diversity regarding race or religion but frequently encounter difficulties in accessing such providers.
Conclusions :
The study corroborates that Hispanic individuals with uveitis are disproportionately impacted by financial and work-related barriers in healthcare utilization compared to their non-Hispanic White counterparts. These findings emphasize the urgent need to address these barriers, particularly those related to economic constraints and job commitments. The study also highlights the critical need for greater diversity among healthcare providers to meet the unique needs of the Hispanic population with uveitis. Future research should focus on the broader impact of these disparities and the development of specific interventions to mitigate them.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.