Department of Art, University of Memphis, Portugal
Research Article
Income and Race-Ethnicity Disparities in Medical Care Utilization and Expenditures in the United States, 2017-2019
Author(s): Harry Wetzler* and Herbert Cobb
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has focused attention on race and income disparities in SARS-CoV-2 mortality
and morbidity. Much less attention has been paid to other socioeconomic factors including income.
Objective: The goal of this study was to compare disparities in medical care utilization and related expenditures associated
with income to those associated with race and ethnicity in the US for those aged 0 years to 64 years for four
categories of medical services: Hospital, emergency room, ambulatory care, and prescription medications.
Methods: We used Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data for years 2017 through 2019. For each of the four medical
services, there were three measures. First was the percentage of those aged 0-64 years with or without utilization
and expenditures. Due to statistical issues related to zero .. View More»