HERC Health Economics Seminar

Integrating Revealed and Stated Preference Analysis to Improve Maternal Healthcare Access in Rural Areas

by Paul Brown, PhD ; Adriana Nunez, PhD
Seminar date: 10/16/2024

Description: This study investigates disparities in pregnancy-related healthcare utilization between rural and urban areas, developing a predictive model that integrates findings from revealed preference analysis and a discrete choice experiment. Of the over 12.5 million discharges in California from 2016 to 2019, 15% were pregnancy related. The study revealed that rural patients not only traveled three times the distance to receive care, but also had higher odds of labor induction, and increased care costs, with more significant racial-ethnic disparities. The discrete choice experiment recruited 204 participants, encompassing 102 California rural zip codes, highlighting the higher-valued attributes of care. Integrating both models suggests that improving modifiable aspects of care in rural facilities can increase the demand for these facilities, potentially ensuring their operation.

Intended Audience: Healthcare system managers and directors, planners and decision makers. Health equity officers. Rural and maternal health specialists. Healthcare quality specialists.

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