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Published on: November 10, 2017

Disparities among the disadvantaged: variation in lipid management in the Ohio Medicaid program

David Litaker1, Siran Koroukian, Joseph P Frolkis

  • 1Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Administration Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA. David.Litaker@med.va.gov

Preventive Medicine
|January 13, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Younger minority adults are less likely to use lipid-lowering medications for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention. Targeted interventions are needed to improve access and long-term adherence for this population.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Health Disparities

Background:

  • Racial disparities in cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention are well-documented.
  • Non-clinical factors may worsen these disparities in treatment adherence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate racial disparities in the use of lipid-lowering agents among Medicaid beneficiaries.
  • To identify factors influencing the initiation and long-term use of these medications.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of Ohio Medicaid data (1992-1999) for 19,106 individuals with CVD diagnoses.
  • Review of pharmacy claims to identify users of lipid-lowering agents (statins, fibrates, bile sequestrants).

Main Results:

  • 20.6% were previous users, 10.5% were new users of lipid-lowering agents.
  • Minority adults under 60 were significantly less likely to be previous users (0.80), new users (0.75), or long-term users (0.65).

Conclusions:

  • Younger minority adults face significant barriers to accessing and adhering to lipid-lowering therapy.
  • Targeted interventions are crucial to reduce CVD risks in this demographic.
Abstract

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