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Jane F Gentleman

Publications and source records attributed to Jane F Gentleman.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Combining estimates from complementary surveys: a case study using prevalence estimates from national health surveys of households and nursing homes.

OBJECTIVES: When a single survey does not cover a domain of interest, estimates from two or more complementary surveys can be combined to extend coverage. The purposes of this article are to discuss and demonstrate the benefits of combining estimates from complementary surveys and to provide a catalog of the analytic issues involved. METHODS: The authors present a case study in which data from the National Health Interview Survey and the National Nursing Home Survey were combined to obtain prevalence estimates for several chronic health conditions for the years 1985, 1995, and 1997. The combined prevalences were estimated by ratio estimation, and the associated variances were estimated by Taylor linearization. The survey weights, stratification, and clustering were reflected in the estimation procedures. RESULTS: In the case study, for the age group of 65 and older, the combined prevalence estimates for households and nursing homes are close to those for households alone. For the age group of 85 and older, however, the combined estimates are sometimes substantially different from the household estimates. Such differences are seen both for estimates within a single year and for estimates of trends across years. CONCLUSIONS: Several general issues regarding comparability arise when there is a goal of combining complementary survey data. As illustrated by this case study, combining estimates can be very useful for improving coverage and avoiding misleading conclusions.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparing health and health care use in Canada and the United States.

Results from the Joint Canada/United States Survey of Health (2002-2003) reveal that health status is relatively similar in the two countries, but income-related health disparities exist. Americans in the poorest income quintile are more likely to have poor health than their Canadian counterparts; there were no differences between the rich. In general, Canadians were more like insured Americans regarding access to services, and Canadians experienced fewer unmet needs overall. Despite higher U.S. levels of spending on health care, residents in the two countries have similar health status and access to care, although there are higher levels of inequality in the United States.

Canada↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Using the National Health Interview Survey: time trends in influenza vaccinations among targeted adults.

Context. Influenza and its complications result in significant morbidity and mortality each year. Certain groups are at increased risk for influenza and influenza-related complications. They, and others who are in close contact with them, are target groups to receive a yearly influenza immunization according to recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Objective. To estimate the proportions of adults in selected target groups who received influenza vaccination in 1995 and 1998 and to identify characteristics associated with vaccination receipt. Data Source. The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), a nationally representative survey of civilian noninstitutionalized persons conducted annually by the Centers for Disease Control's National Center for Health Statistics. We used data for adults (> 18 years of age) from the 1995 and 1998 NHIS. Outcome Measure. Proportions of persons in target groups self-reporting influenza vaccination in the 12 months before the NHIS interview. Results. Between 1995 and 1998, influenza vaccination increased for persons aged 65 and older (58.2% to 63.3%; P<0.05) and for adults under 65 belonging to selected ACIP target groups (27.5% to 30.1%; P<0.05). Examination of 1998 data shows that regardless of age, the likelihood of influenza vaccination is strongly influenced by having health coverage or a regular source of care. For example, 66% of the elderly with private fee- for-service health care coverage were vaccinated, compared with 23% of the elderly with no insurance (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 3.9; 95% CI, 1.6 to 9.3). For persons aged 18 to 64 years belonging to an ACIP target group, the corresponding figures are 32% vs. 16% (adjusted OR, 1.8; CI, 1.4 to 2.3). The likelihood of vaccination also varied by race and ethnicity: For age 65 and older, 66% of non-Hispanic whites were vaccinated compared with 46% of non-Hispanic blacks (adjusted OR, 2; CI, 1.6 to 2.4). Conclusions. The use of influenza vaccination among adults at high risk for influenza and influenza-related complications increased between 1995 and 1998. Younger individuals at high risk, people without insurance or a regular source of care, and nonwhites still have low vaccination rates.

Adolescent↗