Wednesday: Scientific Sessions

The Federal Statistical System: Joining Forces to Meet Future Data Needs and Challenges (Panel Discussion)

Welcome, Announcements, and Salute to Student Poster Winners

Charles J. Rothwell
Director, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Panel:

Katherine K. Wallman
Chief Statistician, U.S. Office of Management and Budget

John H. Thompson
Director, U.S. Census Bureau

Barry D. Nussbaum
Chief Statistician, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and President-elect of the American Statistical Association

Room: Grand Ballroom (Salons D-E)

DD1. Near Real-time Mortality Surveillance

Traditionally, national mortality-data based on the death certificate have first been available for analysis 18 to 24 months after the close of the data year as annual files. Efforts over the past decade to modernize the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS), introduce electronic death registration systems in every state, and improve timeliness of death reporting to NCHS have made it possible to reevaluate this traditional model for analyzing and releasing mortality data. Over the past several years, NCHS has been working on a number of pilot projects demonstrating and evaluating the feasibility and utility of using mortality data to rapidly produce provisional estimates and for near real-time public health surveillance. Many of these projects have shown significant promise. The presentations in this session will focus on the results of several of these pilot projects including: a partnership with CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Influenza Division, to use the real-time data from NVSS for pneumonia and influenza mortality surveillance; a partnership with NIH’s National Institute of Mental Health to evaluate the feasibility of using NVSS for more rapid surveillance of suicides; and an NCHS project to release quarterly provisional estimates of important mortality indicators. [SS-10]

Room: White Flint Amphitheatre

DD2. What Do We Know About the Effects of Recent Changes to the Medicaid Program?

This session consists of four papers that analyze the effects of differences across states in Medicaid policy on the use of health care and health outcomes. The first paper considers the effect of provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), implemented in 2010 and 2014, on insurance coverage of young adults, as well as differences in the effect of the 2014 provisions for Medicaid expansion compared with nonexpansion states. The second paper examines the effects of different Medicaid state policies toward coverage of adult dental care services and payment rates to dentists on the use of dental health care and dental health outcomes among adults on Medicaid. The third paper discusses the effects of Medicaid pay-for-performance programs on the use of preventive care services. The fourth paper examines the effect of the 2013–2014 increase in Medicaid primary care fees mandated by ACA on the willingness of physicians to accept Medicaid patients and on measures of access to care for Medicaid patients. [SS-19]

Room: Salon D

DD3. Sexual Orientation and Health

Increasing literature has identified disparities in health outcomes between straight and lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) persons. However, progress in understanding the full range and causes of disparities has been hindered by a lack of data and research. NCHS has taken a major step to fill gaps in knowledge about LGB health by gathering data on the sexual orientation of survey participants in order to examine associations with health conditions, health behaviors, and health care access and utilization. Presentations in this session will focus on various health outcomes by sexual orientation using data collected from the National Health Interview Survey and the National Survey of Family Growth. [SS-08]

Room: Salon F-G

DD4. Student Research Showcase: Highlighting Exceptional Student Research in Health Statistics

This session will feature four student research studies. These studies were selected among all student poster abstract submissions, and were of exceptional quality, receiving high scores from the abstract reviewers. The students were invited to present their research orally during this student scientific session, in lieu of a poster presentation. Their research topics will cover health care utilization, maternal and child health, respiratory health, and statistical methods. [SS-27]
 

For more information, see: Poster Session

Room: Salon E

DD5. Environmental Exposures in Health Studies

Environmental exposures to chemical and physical agents are known to have a broad range of negative impacts on humans, including congenital anomalies, respiratory diseases, cancers, and cardiovascular diseases. While there have been some successful efforts to prevent such impacts through reduction of exposure, it is likely that many kinds of adverse health effects caused by certain environmental exposure, especially by exposure to newly developed man-made chemicals, remain to be uncovered. This scientific session will highlight recent developments in research and applications regarding environmental exposures and their effects on human health. Topics range from laboratory technology to statistical analysis and the use of data in setting policy. Speakers will be invited from federal agencies and academia. [SS-15]

Room: Brookside A-B

DD6. Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality Behavioral Health Services Research for Vulnerable Populations Under the Affordable Care Act

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) is expected to profoundly change the demand for and delivery of behavioral health care. This session will examine various impacts of the ACA, including the effects of some of its most important provisions on vulnerable populations, using data from three national data sets. The first paper, drawn from National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data, analyzes the effects of insurance provision on treatment for substance use disorders, by whether individuals perceive a need for treatment. Using NSDUH data, the second paper examines how the dependent care expansion provision of ACA is associated with trends in mental health and substance abuse treatment among those aged 19 to 26. The third paper, based on Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data, reports the effects of the ACA’s dependent coverage mandate on out-of-pocket expenses for young adults with a behavioral health condition. It analyzes the impact on all young adults, as well as racial and ethnic minorities. The fourth paper, using NAMCS data, examines the provision of a specific treatment, opioid medication, in the physician’s office, which is an example of a setting where behavioral health care can be integrated with medical care to more effectively reach populations at risk. [SS-29]

Room: White Oak A-B

Meet NCHS Leadership (12:30—1:30 p.m.)

We invite you to meet with NCHS senior staff to share your thoughts about NCHS’s survey program, data products, future directions, the Conference, or any other related topic. These are informal lunch break sessions. Feel free to bring your lunch and let us know what you think. We want to hear from you!

Room: Salons H

No Small Measure: NCHS and the Ebola Crisis (12:00—1:30 p.m.)

This panel discussion brings together NCHS staffers who deployed, some multiple times, to West Africa as part of CDC’s efforts to stop the spread of Ebola. In response to the West African Ebola crisis, volunteers from NCHS have joined hundreds of other CDC staffers deployed to West Africa and locations here at home to battle the most recent outbreak of one of the deadliest diseases ever recorded. Panelists will share their insights and experiences battling this international public health crisis. Moderated by NCHS Director Charles Rothwell.

Room: Forest Glen

EE1. The National Study of Long-Term Care Providers (NSLTCP): A New Resource for Researchers, Providers, and Policymakers

NSLTCP produces national and state estimates about the supply and use of five major types of long-term care providers—assisted living and similar residential care communities, adult day services centers, home health agencies, nursing homes, and hospices. This panel session will assess the utility of NSLTCP data and products in long-term care. More specifically, how can NSLTCP meet the diverse needs of researchers, providers, policymakers, and government agencies? Following an introduction to NSLTCP, key representatives from research, industry, policy, and government will present on the use and impact of NSLTCP in their respective realms. [SS-01]

Room: White Oak A-B

EE2. Divergent Paths to Death: Race and Ethnicity Matter

One of the goals of Healthy People 2020 is to “achieve health equity, eliminate disparities, and improve the health of all groups.” The National Vital Statistics System enables monitoring the health of the country by examining trends and patterns in all-cause and cause-specific mortality, as well as measuring progress towards eliminating disparities in mortality. This session introduces some of the latest NCHS research on racial and ethnic and gender disparities in mortality. Speakers will present statistics on patterns in death rates, leading causes of death, life expectancy, and disparities relative to the non-Hispanic white population for the non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native population; examine racial and ethnic and gender disparities in firearm injury death rates, trends in firearm deaths by intent, and rankings of firearm injury as a mechanism of injury mortality; and explore the role of cause of death on racial disparities in life expectancy. [SS-12]

Room: Salon D

EE3. State Variations in the Provision and Use of Health and Long-Term Care Services

The demand for accurate, timely, and policy-relevant health data has increased dramatically over time. While considerable health data are available at the national level, variable amounts are available at lower geographic levels, and most of these data are not standardized across levels. This dearth of subnational data is problematic as states gain flexibility to administer, monitor, and evaluate health and health care programs through waivers and legislated reforms. This cross-cutting session will provide analytic examples of state-level data available from several large probability surveys conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics. Findings from the 2012 National Study of Long-Term Care Providers, which examined the supply and use of long-term care service providers for as many states as feasible within the NCHS confidentiality and reliability standards, will be presented. The next talk will discuss findings about health care access, use, and health measures for selected states from the National Health Interview Survey. Estimates for selected states from the 2012 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey on physician supply, the rate of visits to physicians, physician acceptance of new Medicare and Medicaid patients, and new patients with private insurance (2013 National Electronic Health Records Survey) will also be described. The session will conclude with a discussion connecting themes across presentations, discussing implications and providing context. This session will be of interest to health policymakers at the state and federal levels, clinicians and health care professionals, the research community, and advocates. [SS-07]

Room: Brookside A-B

EE4. Federal Statistics and Social Media: Connecting With Users by Increasing Reach AND Engagement

The importance of social media in promoting, highlighting, and encouraging user engagement and participation with federal statistics is discussed. This session will review the ways in which social media tools have been implemented in the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) dissemination and highlight NCHS’ experience with social media. The session will bring together a panel of representatives from NCHS and other federal statistical agencies. The session will also provide an opportunity for discussing other potential tools to increase reach and promote user engagement and participation. [SS-23]

Room: Salon E

EE5. Getting the Right Match: Using and Evaluating NCHS Linked Data

The record linkage program has combined NCHS survey data with administrative records from the National Death Index, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Social Security Administration, and other agencies. Record linked data can enhance the information collected on the NCHS population health surveys by providing additional information on program participation and outcomes for respondents prior to, at the time of, and following the survey interview, depending on the data characteristics. However, not all survey respondents consent to record linkage or provide sufficient information for linkage. This scientific session will highlight analyses and evaluations of record linked data, demonstrating their strengths and limitations. Topics will include NCHS-HUD (Housing and Urban Development) data, NCHS-CMS data, and the linked mortality files. Proposed speakers will be from NCHS’ Office of Analysis and Epidemiology and HUD. [SS-22]

Room: Salon F-G

EE6. The National Health Interview Survey Early Release Program: Recent Findings and Potential Applications

Through its Early Release program, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) publishes selected estimates from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) on an expedited schedule. These estimates are published prior to final data editing and final weighting to provide access to the most recent information from NHIS and are updated as each new quarter of NHIS data becomes available. This session will highlight key findings from the June and August 2015 reports, provide examples for how the preliminary microdata files can be used, and offer examples of how NCHS staff have used Early Release data to monitor time-sensitive changes in health insurance coverage and access to and utilization of health care services. [SS-30]

Room: White Flint Amphitheatre