Niteesh K. Choudhry|Katsiaryna Bykov|William H. Shrank|Michele Toscano|Wayne Rawlins|Lonny Reisman|Troyen A. Brennan|Jessica M. Franklin
Eliminating Medication Copayments Reduces Disparities In Cardiovascular Care
Brigham and Women's Hospital|Harvard University|Brigham and Women's Hospital|CVS Health (United States)|Brigham and Women's Hospital|Aetna (United States)|Aetna (United States)|Aetna (United States)|Brigham and Women's Hospital|Pharmac|Harvard University
substantial racial ethnic disparities cardiovascular care persist united states example african americans hispanics cardiovascular disease 1040 percent less likely whites receive secondary prevention therapies aspirin betablockers lowering copayments therapies improves outcomes among patients myocardial infarction impact lower copayments health disparities unknown using selfreported race ethnicity participants postmyocardial infarction free rx event economic evaluation mi freee trial found rates medication adherence significantly lower rates adverse clinical outcomes significantly higher nonwhite patients white patients providing full drug coverage increased medication adherence groups among nonwhite patients also reduced rates major vascular events revascularization 35 percent reduced total health care spending 70 percent providing full coverage effect clinical outcomes costs white patients conclude lowering copayments medications myocardial infarctions may reduce racial ethnic disparities cardiovascular disease