: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) affects a significant proportion (28.5%) of the U.S population, resulting in high rates of mortality and significant heath care costs. Certain related conditions, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and behaviors, such as inactivity and diet, may exacerbate the onset or effects of CVD. Preventive care can reduce these risk factors; research has found that early detection, treatment and control of CVD risk factors significantly reduce mortality and morbidity. However, a number of significant health disparities exist in the area of preventive care, including disparities in counseling and in orders for diagnostic tests. I intend to investigate provider contributions to preventive care disparities for cardiovascular disease, using physician race and gender as independent variables. A hypothesized mechanism (presented by Van Ryn, 2002) through which provider factors could influence race/ethnicity disparities in treatments received will be used to further explain the phenomenon. Several mediating variables (patient-provider interactions and communication) will be used to explain relationships between physician race and gender and the outcome variables.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
1F31HS016452-01
Application #
7148847
Study Section
HSR Health Care Research Training SS (HCRT)
Program Officer
Benjamin, Shelley
Project Start
2006-07-01
Project End
2009-06-30
Budget Start
2006-07-01
Budget End
2007-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pennsylvania
Department
Other Health Professions
Type
Other Domestic Higher Education
DUNS #
042250712
City
Philadelphia
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
19104