Utilization of the Emergency and Hospital Services in Marin County by Minorities Pre-Shelter in Place and During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Location

Online - Session 2C

Start Date

4-21-2021 11:50 AM

Major Field of Study

Global Public Health

Student Type

Undergraduate

Faculty Mentor(s)

Michela George, Phd; Brett Bayles, Phd; and Rochelle Ereman

Presentation Format

Oral Presentation

Abstract/Description

Utilization of the Emergency and Hospital Services in Marin County by Minorities Pre-Shelter in Place and During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Rekina Daniels1, Haylea Hannah2,3, Rochelle Ereman1,3, Brett R. Bayles1, Michaela F. George1

1. Department of Global Public Health, Dominican University of California, San Rafael, CA

2. Department of Epidemiology and Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

3. Community Epidemiology Program, Public Health Division, Marin County Department of Health & Human Services, San Rafael, CA

Background: Across the United States, a disproportionate number of COVID-19 cases and deaths among minority racial/ethnic groups have been identified. Inequities in access to healthcare, housing, and wealth may explain some of the differences in infection and death rate among minorities as compared to white populations. However, it is unknown if there are inequities of the utilization of emergency and hospital services during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically for respiratory and non-respiratory admissions.

Methods: Data for this study used a registry of Hospital Emergency Department visits in California from the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development and Marin County Health and Human Services. Visits without race/ethnicity variables were excluded from all analyses. Data utilized the emergency room chief complaint and ICD-10 codes from 2017-2020 with a primary diagnosis of respiratory illness as compared to non-respiratory illness. Time series analysis was conducted to identify trends in visits and quantify any differences after shelter in place orders were implemented.

Results: Preliminary analysis of data shows there is a positive relationship between race/ethnicity and utilization of emergency and hospital services. In emergency room admission, it is 2 to 3 times more likely for non white racial/ethinc minority groups to be diagnosed with Covid-19 than whites. Additional analysis is needed to determine the statistical significance of this relationship in Marin County including adjustment for confounding factors such as age, gender, and comorbidities.

Discussion: Based on the results of this study, this research seeks to provide evidence for addressing gaps in access to and utilization of health care and racial disparities amongst minorities in Marin County during a pandemic. Further research is needed as the pandemic is still ongoing and data is still being collected.

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Apr 21st, 11:50 AM

Utilization of the Emergency and Hospital Services in Marin County by Minorities Pre-Shelter in Place and During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Online - Session 2C

Utilization of the Emergency and Hospital Services in Marin County by Minorities Pre-Shelter in Place and During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Rekina Daniels1, Haylea Hannah2,3, Rochelle Ereman1,3, Brett R. Bayles1, Michaela F. George1

1. Department of Global Public Health, Dominican University of California, San Rafael, CA

2. Department of Epidemiology and Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

3. Community Epidemiology Program, Public Health Division, Marin County Department of Health & Human Services, San Rafael, CA

Background: Across the United States, a disproportionate number of COVID-19 cases and deaths among minority racial/ethnic groups have been identified. Inequities in access to healthcare, housing, and wealth may explain some of the differences in infection and death rate among minorities as compared to white populations. However, it is unknown if there are inequities of the utilization of emergency and hospital services during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically for respiratory and non-respiratory admissions.

Methods: Data for this study used a registry of Hospital Emergency Department visits in California from the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development and Marin County Health and Human Services. Visits without race/ethnicity variables were excluded from all analyses. Data utilized the emergency room chief complaint and ICD-10 codes from 2017-2020 with a primary diagnosis of respiratory illness as compared to non-respiratory illness. Time series analysis was conducted to identify trends in visits and quantify any differences after shelter in place orders were implemented.

Results: Preliminary analysis of data shows there is a positive relationship between race/ethnicity and utilization of emergency and hospital services. In emergency room admission, it is 2 to 3 times more likely for non white racial/ethinc minority groups to be diagnosed with Covid-19 than whites. Additional analysis is needed to determine the statistical significance of this relationship in Marin County including adjustment for confounding factors such as age, gender, and comorbidities.

Discussion: Based on the results of this study, this research seeks to provide evidence for addressing gaps in access to and utilization of health care and racial disparities amongst minorities in Marin County during a pandemic. Further research is needed as the pandemic is still ongoing and data is still being collected.