Racial Disparities in Hospitalizations for Ambulatory Care: Sensitive Conditions

This study identified differences in hospitalization rates for elderly African Americans and whites in Maryland for eight ambulatory care-sensitive conditions and estimated excess costs associated with these disparities. The study found that African Americans had significantly higher hospitalization rates for five of eight conditions, indicating that race may be a key predictor of preventable hospitalizations. Improving care for minorities, may reduce differences in care and lower hospital costs.