Arkansas

Use Cases from the APCD Showcase

Displaying 1 - 5 of 25

Use Cases		Category	Carriers
The Cost of Adolescent Obesity: A Longitudinal Cohort Study From Ages 15 to 30	This longitudinal study found that obesity during adolescence is associated with substantially higher healthcare spending and poorer health outcomes as individuals transition into adulthood. Following participants from ages 15 to 30, the researchers found that adolescents with obesity incurred higher medical costs over time and were more likely to experience obesity-related health conditions later in life. The findings highlight the long-term economic and health consequences of adolescent obesity and support early prevention and intervention efforts.	Population Health, Researchers	Commercial, Medicaid, Medicare
Scope and characteristics of patients filling medications through specialty pharmacies by ownership type	This study examined who uses specialty pharmacies and found that patients filling medications through these pharmacies tend to be older, have greater health care needs, and live in more socially vulnerable communities. The researchers found that most specialty pharmacy fills occurred through pharmacies owned by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) or insurers, and patients using these vertically integrated pharmacies were often among the most vulnerable. The findings suggest that policies requiring PBMs or insurers to divest specialty pharmacies could unintentionally disrupt medication access for high-need patients if not carefully implemented.	Consumers, Population Health, Providers	Commercial, Medicaid, Medicare
Rural–Urban Differences in Use of Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support in Arkansas, 2015–2019	This study found that adults with diabetes living in rural areas were less likely to participate in Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) programs than those living in urban areas. Using data from more than 28,000 adults with diabetes, researchers found that only about half of rural residents reported receiving diabetes self-management education, and the disparity remained even after accounting for demographic and health-related factors. The findings suggest that expanding access to diabetes education in rural communities could help reduce diabetes-related complications and improve health outcomes.	Population Health, Researchers	Commercial, Medicaid
Poverty and Mortality Risk in Patients With Colorectal Cancer	This study found that colorectal cancer patients living in areas of persistent poverty had a significantly higher risk of death than those living in other communities. Researchers found that later-stage diagnosis, lower rates of surgery, and differences in health insurance coverage were key factors explaining this increased mortality risk, suggesting that improving screening, access to surgery, and insurance-related support could help reduce disparities.	Population Health, Researchers	Commercial, Medicaid, Medicare
Novel approaches in linkage of data sources to explore the associations between purchase of opioid prescriptions during pregnancy and adverse neonatal outcomes	This case study links Arkansas APCD and PDMP data to assess prescribed opioid exposure during pregnancy, demonstrating that combining both data sources is essential for complete capture and that opioid purchases are associated with increased risk of preterm birth and neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome.	Population Health, Researchers	Commercial, Medicaid