Association of social risks with avoiding or delaying health care and with emergency department visits: evidence from 2017 Ohio Medicaid Assessment Survey.

OBJECTIVES

The primary aim was to examine the association of social risks with avoiding/delaying health care after controlling for sociodemographic covariates, and the secondary aim was to examine the association of social risks with emergency department (ED) visits after controlling for avoiding/delaying health care and sociodemographic covariates.

STUDY DESIGN

2017 Ohio Medicaid Assessment Survey data were analyzed.

METHODS

Descriptive, bivariate analysis and multiple weighted logistic regressions were conducted. First, weighted logistic regression assessed the association of aggregated social risk (food insecurity, housing instability, financial strain) and health insurance type with avoiding/delaying health care after controlling for sociodemographic covariates. Next, weighted logistic regression assessed the association of social risks with ED visits after controlling for avoiding/delaying health care and sociodemographic covariates.

RESULTS

Among 39,711 respondents, 21.7% reported avoiding/delaying health care and 27.2% reported having at least 1 ED visit in the past year. Individuals with higher vs lower aggregated social risk had higher odds of avoiding/delaying health care (odds ratio [OR], 1.30; 95% CI, 1.26-1.34) and were more likely to have any ED visits (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.07-1.13). Uninsured individuals compared with those with private insurance were more likely to avoid/delay health care (OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.73-2.26) and have higher likelihood of any ED visits (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.06-1.42). Finally, individuals who reported avoiding/delaying getting health care were more likely to have higher odds of any ED visits (OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.23-1.45).

CONCLUSIONS

Social risks are important factors in patients' decisions to avoid/delay health care and are associated with increased odds of any ED visits. To reduce ED visits, policy-level efforts need to be made to address these social challenges.