Racial Disparities in Hospital Utilization Among Patients with Multimorbidity.

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.