Analysis of U.S. Disparities by Sex: A Deeper Dive Into the National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report

Jennifer E. Moore, PhD, RN, FAAN

Established by the Affordable Care Act, the National Quality Strategy (NQS) is the national policy goals aimed at improving the quality of health care for all Americans. The NQS established six priorities to provide better, more affordable care for individuals and communities. This is the first analysis of data on the NQS and access measures that focus on sex differences (women vs. men), health conditions, trends, and disparities.

In an effort to better understand trends in sex-based disparities in the U.S., the Institute for Medicaid Innovation teamed up with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to take a deeper dive into the 2015 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report (QDR) and the National Quality Strategy priorities.    

The findings from our analysis highlights cardiovascular disease, behavioral health and access to care as problem areas for women that require immediate attention. It is of concern that 83% of the measures showed a persistent disparity over time between men and women. These results indicate that there is room for improving the quality of healthcare received by women and reducing sex-based disparities experienced by women in the healthcare delivery system.

To access the article published in Women’s Health Issues journal, click here.