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Hispanics most likely to be uninsured, despite overall increase in rates of insurance coverage

In 2014, an increase in health insurance coverage and access was seen in adults of all races; however, Hispanic adults were significantly less likely to be insured or have access to care compared with other races, according to a data brief from the CDC.

Researchers used data from the National Health Interview Survey to assess changes in health care coverage, access and utilization from 2013 to 2014.

Results demonstrated that in 2014, an overall decrease in uninsured Hispanic adults, (41.1%-34.1%), non-Hispanic white adults (14.5%-11.5%), non-Hispanic black adults (24.7%-17.6%) and non-Hispanic Asian adults (16.1%-12.1%), was seen compared with 2013.

While no significant change was seen in non-Hispanic black or Asian adults, the percentage of non-Hispanic white and Hispanic adults with a usual place to go for medical care increased from 2013 to 2014. Despite this increase, Hispanic adults were still the least likely to have a usual-care facility.

In both 2013 and 2014, non-Hispanic white adults were most likely to have spoken to a health care provider in the previous 12 months, followed by non-Hispanic black adults, non-Hispanic Asians, and lastly, Hispanic adults.

In 2014, a small decrease was seen in the percentage of non-Hispanic white and Hispanic adults who did not receive necessary medical care due to cost in the previous 12 months, compared with 2013. Non-Hispanic black adults were most likely not to receive medical attention when needed due to cost in 2014, and non-Hispanic Asian adults were the least likely to not receive necessary care due to cost in 2013 and 2014.

“For all racial and Hispanic origin subgroups examined, there were significant decreases in the percentage uninsured in 2014. … In 2014, Hispanic adults aged 18-64 were still more likely than non-Hispanic adults to have difficulty accessing and using health care. … Poorer health care access and utilization can lead to poorer health outcomes and higher disease prevalence, which have sometimes been observed for Hispanic adults relative to non-Hispanic white adults,” the researchers wrote. – by Casey Hower