Racial Disparities in Hospital Utilization Among Patients with Multimorbidity.

Abstract

Background: It is reported that racial differences exist among patients with multimorbidity. However, there are no studies that have investigated racial disparities within multimorbidity-related hospitalization encounters among patients with multimorbidity in rural states such as Arkansas.

Methods: Binomial logistic regression identified associations between race and hospitalization utilization. Insurance type was assessed as a potential effect modifier of the association.

Results: Non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic Other and Hispanic patients collectively represented more than 50% of 18-34-year-old patients with multimorbidity. Compared with patients who were non-Hispanic White, Other patients were more likely to have a high length of stay. In the insurance-type stratified analysis, uninsured Hispanic patients demonstrated greater hospital length of stay during the study period.

Conclusion: Results of the current study suggest that multimorbidity-related conditions differentially affect racially and ethnically minoritized, young patients. These findings highlight the need for future studies to understand the contributory factors involved in this disparity.