Identifying and Addressing Patient and System Factors Associated with Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Care of Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face complex health problems and experience substantially higher rates of chronic physical and behavioral health (BH) conditions. Understanding the dynamics underlying disparities in outcomes by race and ethnicity for this high-risk population can support development of delivery system and financing strategies to close gaps. Drawing on NJ Medicaid claims data, this project focuses on patient and system-level factors that may drive racial/ethnic disparities in adequacy of ambulatory medical and BH services among Medicaid-enrolled adults with IDD, with a particular focus on the potential of non-medical community services to improve acute care outcomes.