A new data tool aims to enhance diabetes research in Arkansas by providing comprehensive insights into the health and financial impact of the disease. The Arkansas Center for Health Improvement (ACHI) has launched the Diabetes Analytic Data Mart, a resource made possible by the Arkansas Healthcare Transparency Initiative.
Diabetes affects approximately 290,000 Arkansans, or 12.3% of the adult population, according to the American Diabetes Association. The disease imposes a significant financial burden, with medical expenses for individuals with diabetes averaging 2.6 times higher than for those without the condition.
The Diabetes Analytic Data Mart compiles insurance enrollment, medical, and dental healthcare utilization data for Arkansans diagnosed with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Spanning from 2016 to 2022, the dataset excludes personally identifiable information and enables researchers to examine key topics, including:
- Medical and pharmacy service utilization and expenditures
- Prevalence, volume, and trends of diabetes
- Impact of continuous insurance coverage
- Geographic distribution of diabetes cases
- Associated conditions, complications, and medication costs
- Adverse health outcomes
Part of a Larger Healthcare Transparency Effort
The Diabetes Analytic Data Mart is the latest addition to the Arkansas Healthcare Transparency Initiative, a program established in 2015 through Act 1233 and later expanded by additional legislation. The initiative consolidates healthcare data to support research, policy development, and transparency efforts.
At its core is the Arkansas All-Payer Claims Database (APCD), a comprehensive repository containing medical, pharmacy, and dental insurance claims from most public and private insurers in the state. The initiative also integrates data from the Arkansas Department of Health, including vital records, disease registries, hospital discharge records, emergency department visits for uninsured patients, and medical marijuana data. ACHI administers the initiative under the oversight of the Arkansas Insurance Department, which has funded recent enhancements—including the Diabetes Analytic Data Mart and the Mother/Infant Crosswalk, a tool for linking maternal and infant health data—through federal grants.
Accelerating Diabetes Research and Policy Development
The Arkansas Healthcare Transparency Initiative has been a vital resource for researchers studying hospital price transparency, healthcare access disparities, healthcare utilization in low-income communities, and maternal and child health outcomes. While data on diabetes has been available through the initiative since its inception, this newly dedicated resource aims to streamline research efforts and accelerate advancements in diabetes treatment and prevention.
Researchers interested in accessing the Diabetes Analytic Data Mart or other data resources can submit requests through ACHI’s website.
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