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Spatial Distribution Of Obesity Among West Virginia 5th Grade Children: Analysis Of The Socioeconomic, Physical, And Personal Environment, Sherry Roper

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Childhood obesity defined as a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex, is considered an epidemic in the United States. Biology and lifestyle behaviors have been identified as important factors in the development of childhood obesity; however, researchers are beginning to place more emphasis upon the impact that continual environmental exposures have upon obesity development. Environmental risk factors associated with obesity are distributed continuously over space, yet evidence suggests that burden of risk may not be evenly dispersed across a community. West Virginia (WV), a rural Appalachian community has …

The Influence Of Patient-Reported Provider Availability Factors On Nonurgent Emergency Department Use, Cheryl Anne Dewood

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of patient‑perceived provider availability on nonurgent emergency department use (NUEDU). The study population consisted of a nationally‑representative population of non‑elderly adults who were continuously privately insured (CPI) for at least a year before an emergency department visit that was determined to be nonurgent, and who reported having a regular source of care (RSC).

Methods. Data were obtained from a nationally‑representative longitudinal survey, the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). The classification of ED visits as nonurgent was based on patient report using a method developed for this study. Patient­‑perceived provider …

Analysis Of Out-Of-Pocket Expenditures Of Oral Oncologics For Tennessee Recipients Of Medicare Part D, Eve Carolyn Elias

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Background: There are few studies that examine patients' costs of oral oncology drugs from Medicare Part D plan providers. These drugs can impose a financial burden to beneficiaries, and, due to their cost, place beneficiaries in the coverage gap in a short period of time. In addition to examining costs, there is little published concerning the potential impact of drug utilization management techniques on access to these drugs in Medicare Part D plans. This study examined the roles of prior authorization, step-therapy, and placement of drugs in higher formulary tiers on patients' out-of-pocket costs, and access to therapy.

Methods …