Gestor bibliográfico Crisis y Salud

The “Great Recession” of 2007 to 2009 affected Americans of all backgrounds, across education, age, race/ethnicity, and household type, but took a far greater toll on African Americans and Hispanics than on whites.1- 2 In 2009, unemployment rates of African Americans (14.8%) and Hispanics (12.1%) were significantly higher than the rate for whites (8.7%).3 Median wealth fell 66% among Hispanic households, 53% among African American households, and 16% among white households.2 Rates of employment-based health insurance declined more steeply for minorities than for whites, as 25% of African Americans and Hispanics lost their job during the recession compared with 15% of whites, and minorities were more likely to become uninsured.4 Loss of insurance coverage deteriorates access to care and is associated with reduced use of health services,5 particularly during recessions.6 Preventive service use is also sensitive to recessions.6- 7 Taken together, these forces suggest that health services use patterns of minorities may have been significantly altered during the recession. The objective of the present study was to examine differences in health services use regarding office-based physician visits, inpatient stays, emergency department visits, and prescription drug fills for racial and ethnic minorities before and during the Great Recession.