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Description:
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This study contributes knowledge to the overarching goals of Healthy People 2010 , as it examined an objective aimed at improving population health of a priority population in the United States . The study aims examined the effect of health care quality on pneumonia among persons 65+ in Texas counties , and considered how community (county ) characteristics such as prosperity and racial /ethnic homogeneity impact population health and well -being .
The project applied Evans and Stoddart determinants of health model to examine the effect and relationship of contextual factors on two AHRQ quality of health care indicators , and their influence on population health . The project utilized 1999 -2001 Texas hospital discharge data to estimate county bacterial pneumonia hospitalization rates and pneumonia inpatient mortality rates . Population counts and contextual factors were derived from Census 2000 Summary Files . Population mortality rates were estimated from 1999 -2001 Texas vital statistics files .
Study results showed an association between increasing percent Latinos in a county and lower bacterial pneumonia hospitalization rates , not just for Latinos , but also for non -Hispanic Blacks and non -Hispanic Whites . Results indicate bacterial pneumonia hospitalization rates increase significantly with age , especially in persons 75+ , with males experiencing higher rates than females . Persons with high risk of mortality scores experienced significantly higher mortality rates in the hospital setting . Community pneumonia mortality rates were similar to those for bacterial pneumonia hospitalizations , and bacterial pneumonia hospitalizations were associated with community pneumonia mortality .
In summary , this research provides baseline pneumonia morbidity and mortality data for Texas counties by which to evaluate future health studies among the elderly . The methodology demonstrates the application of hospital discharge data in community based health services research and contributes to understanding neighborhood influences on population health . It may contribute to policy considerations for Texas counties by allowing stakeholders to assess population health status for funding and treatment priorities .
Finally , this research represents a stepping stone to research that can guide future community -based interventions to improve care , and provides a model for other states to evaluate community correlates of mortality and morbidity . The model could potentially be applied to many different conditions affecting community health , such as immunizations . |