Researchers examined the association between income inequality, measured by the Gini coefficient, and the risk of mortality and readmission within 30 days post-hospital admission and discharge, respectively. Researchers studied Medicare patients in the U.S. hospitalized in 2006 to 2008 with a principal diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction, heart failure or pneumonia.
The risk of readmission for all three diagnoses was greater in states in the three highest quarters of income inequality compared with states in the lowest quarter. The authors estimated that from 2006 through 2008, there were an additional 7,153 readmissions for acute myocardial infarction; 17,991 readmissions for heart failure; and 14,127 readmissions for pneumonia associated with income inequality in states in the three highest quarters of income equality compared with states in the lowest quarter.
However, the risk of mortality within 30 days of hospital admission did not differ between states based on income inequality.
More Articles on Hospital Readmissions:
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Study: Higher Readmission Rates Don’t Mean Lower Mortality Rates for Heart Attack, Pneumonia
Report: U.S. Made Little Progress on Readmission Rates 2008-2010
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