Diabetes Care Among Older Urban American Indians and Alaska Natives

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Authors: Rhoades DA, Buchwald D, Roubideaux Y
Publication Year: 2004
Last Updated: 2016-01-29 13:48:52
Journal: Ethnicity & Disease
Keywords: Diabetes, Urban Indians, Aged, Indians North American,Quality of Care, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Urban, AI/AN, Elder

Short Abstract:

Studies of the medical conditions of, and the quality of health care received by, older AI/ANs in urban, non-reservation settings are very rare. Most studies of diabetes or its care among AI/ANs have been conducted in communities served by the Indian Health Service or tribal health programs, and none have focused on older persons not living on or near reservations. Older AI/ANs are among the fastest growing populations in the United States, and 41% of AI/AN elders now live in urban areas, and do not receive direct health care from the Indian Health Service or tribal health programs.  Several urban Indian health programs were developed in the 1970s in recognition of the unmet healthcare needs of AI/ANs, many of whom relocated to urban areas in the 1950s, as the result of formal federal policy. However, little is known about the quality of care provided by these urban programs.

Since previous work has suggested that the quality of diabetes care for older persons may vary by race, or by socioeconomic status, the purpose of this study was to assess the quality of diabetes care among older AI/ANs in a low-income, urban, primary care setting. In addition, factors associated with performance of quality of care indicators were assessed.

Abstract:

Studies of the medical conditions of, and the quality of health care received by, older AI/ANs in urban, non-reservation settings are very rare. Most studies of diabetes or its care among AI/ANs have been conducted in communities served by the Indian Health Service or tribal health programs, and none have focused on older persons not living on or near reservations. Older AI/ANs are among the fastest growing populations in the United States, and 41% of AI/AN elders now live in urban areas, and do not receive direct health care from the Indian Health Service or tribal health programs.  Several urban Indian health programs were developed in the 1970s in recognition of the unmet healthcare needs of AI/ANs, many of whom relocated to urban areas in the 1950s, as the result of formal federal policy. However, little is known about the quality of care provided by these urban programs.

Since previous work has suggested that the quality of diabetes care for older persons may vary by race, or by socioeconomic status, the purpose of this study was to assess the quality of diabetes care among older AI/ANs in a low-income, urban, primary care setting. In addition, factors associated with performance of quality of care indicators were assessed.

Source: Link to Original Article.
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