Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2020

Advisor

Amber Todd

Abstract

Objective: This research study aims to examine preventable hospitalization rates in Ohio and several variables to may be associated with changes in these rates. First, I will investigate how preventable hospitalization rates (PHRs) have changed in Ohio from 2016 to 2020. Additionally, Primary Care Physician (PCP) ratio will be compared from 2016 to 2020 in Ohio, looking for any change that has occurred between the years. Next, PHRs will be correlated to the percentage of population uninsured in Ohio to look for any relationship between these two variables. Finally, Ohio’s PHRs will be compared to Indiana’s for 2020, to look for any difference between these two geographically similar regions.

Methods: To accomplish the goals outlined above, SPSS software will be used to conduct statistical analysis on the data obtained. To compare PHRs in Ohio and then PCP ratio in Ohio an ANOVA with a post-hoc test will be used to show any significant difference between the years described. Correlating PHRs and percent of population uninsured will be accomplished utilizing a Pearson coefficient. Finally, an unpaired t-test will be used to compare Ohio and Indiana PHRs in Ohio to test for a significant difference in these rates. All data used was taken from a publicly available dataset found at County Health Rankings.

Results: The study found a significant decrease in PHRs in Ohio from 2016 to 2020. There was no significant findings when looking at PCP ratio in Ohio from 2016 to 2020, PHR difference between Ohio and Indiana, and when examining for a correlation between PHRs and the percentage of population uninsured in Ohio in 2020.


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