Race/ethnicity and nonadherence to prescription medications among seniors: Results of a national study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Nonadherence to prescription drugs results in poorer control of chronic health conditions. Because of significant racial/ethnic disparities in the control of many chronic diseases, differences in the rates of and reasons for medication nonadherence should be studied. OBJECTIVES: 1) To determine whether rates of and reasons for medication nonadherence vary by race/ethnicity among seniors; and 2) to evaluate whether any association between race/ethnicity and nonadherence is moderated by prescription coverage and income. DESIGN/SETTING: Cross-sectional national survey, 2003. PATIENTS: Medicare beneficiaries ≥65 years of age, who reported their race/ethnicity as white, black, or Hispanic, and who reported taking at least 1 medication (n=14,829). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported nonadherence (caused by cost, self-assessed need, or experiences/side effects) during the last 12 months. RESULTS: Blacks and Hispanics were more likely than whites to report cost-related nonadherence (35.1%, 36.5%, and 26.7%, respectively, p