Sociology, Department of
First Advisor
Dr. Christina D. Falci
Second Advisor
Dr. Lory J. Dance
Third Advisor
Dr. Lisa A. Kort-Butler
Date of this Version
Spring 4-28-2022
Abstract
Using data from the 2018 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), this study examined racial group differences in health care access, including measures for usual place of sick or preventative care and delayed or forgone care and the mechanisms that explain those differences. This study integrated the Fundamental Cause Theory and Anderson’s Behavioral model to understand the causal mechanism responsible for racial disparities in health care access. Results showed that Hispanics were more likely to have no usual place for sick or preventative care and more likely to delay care than other racial groups. Blacks were more likely to use other sick or preventative care places than a doctor’s office and more likely to forgo care due to cost than other racial groups. Whites were more likely to have a doctor’s office as a place for sick or preventative care, followed by Asians, Hispanics, and Blacks. In addition, health insurance coverage highly contributed to explaining racial differences in health care access for Blacks and Hispanics, followed by family income, marital status, education attainment, and employment status. Results show that Blacks and Hispanics are at a higher disadvantage in accessing health care. Therefore, further research needs to focus on reducing disparities in health care access, especially for Blacks and Hispanics.
Advisor: Christina D. Falci
Comments
A THESIS Presented to the Faculty of The Graduate College at the University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements For the Degree of Master of Arts, Major: Sociology, Under the Supervision of Professor Christina D. Falci. Lincoln, Nebraska: May, 2022
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