| This research provides an exploratory analysis of demographic variations in hospital emergency room use for preventable (non-emergency) illness and the potential role of health insurance in facilitating access to care. Hospital emergency room visits of 19,565 patients in the year 1999 are examined to gain an understanding of patterns of use in the emergency room of a mid-sized community in the southwest. Data were gathered as part of a larger community health assessment in October of 2000. This research first identifies the demographic patterns of ER use for different types of services by age, sex, race and ethnicity. Using the statistical technique logistic regression, the effects of demographic characteristics and health insurance arrangements were estimated in predicting specific illness diagnostic categories. Findings indicate that young adults, females and racial or ethnic minorities are more likely than seniors, males, or Whites, respectively, to use the emergency room for non-emergency services. The analysis suggests there is a need to expand outpatient clinic services, particularly for the uninsured and Medicaid covered recipients, but also for a more efficient use of resources for the privately insured. |
