What does this score mean?

A score of 100 represents racial equity, meaning there are no racial disparities in the outcomes between black and white populations. The lower the Equity Score, the greater the disparity.

For Health Insurance, a score of 100 – a score reflecting racial equity – would mean black and white residents are equally likely to have health insurance. It is important to note that for this indicator, equity is not our only goal; we also want to improve outcomes for all.

WHAT DOES THIS ANALYSIS MEAN?

As a region, white residents are about 7% more likely than black residents to have health insurance. In the City of St. Louis, white residents with health insurance are at an 8% higher rate than black residents (92.3% relative to 86%). In St. Clair County, that disparity equals 5.7%(95.4% of white residents are insured compared to 90.3% of black residents). In St. Louis County, white residents are 4.8% likelier to be insured than black residents (95.4% relative to 91%). In St. Charles County, there is no apparent racial disparity in health insurance.

If health insurance rates were equitable, there would be:

• 10,121 more black residents with health insurance in the City of St. Louis,
• 4,101 more black residents with health insurance in St. Clair County, and
• 9,291 more black residents with health insurance in St. Louis County.

Why Does Health Insurance Matter?

Health insurance helps people access the medical and preventive care they need. As the Ferguson Commission report found, people with health insurance are “more likely to be up-to-date with their immunizations, more likely to receive cost-effective care, and are healthier.” People without health insurance are “more than twice as likely to delay or forgo needed care,” and therefore “more likely to be hospitalized for preventable health conditions.” People without insurance are also “less likely than those with insurance to receive preventive care and services for major health conditions and chronic diseases.” Lack of health care impacts not only the individuals affected, but the population at large, as not staying current with immunizations or not treating communicable diseases can affect others beyond those uninsured.

Which Calls to Action from the Ferguson Commission’s report are linked with this indicator?

The expansion of Medicaid is a signature priority of the Ferguson Commission to address economic and health inequities. The calls to action related to health insurance include:

• Increase Health Insurance Coverage and Access
• Expand Medicaid Eligibility
• Provide Gap Coverage
• Increase ACA Marketplace Enrollment

Questions for Further Investigation:

• Why is there a racial disparity in Health Insurance?
• What can St. Louis do to reduce racial disparities in Health Insurance?
• What initiatives are currently underway to reduce racial disparities in Health Insurance?

Health Insurance Data