Statistical Brief #5: Medical Care and Treatment for Chronic Conditions, 2000 

By: Marie N. Stagnitti, MPA 

Introduction 

The quality of the health care received by Americans is an issue of public policy concern for 

several reasons. First, the level of quality of the health care delivery system affects the capacity to 

provide timely, accessible, effective and efficient medical care to the population in need of 

services. Secondly, estimates of quality are vital to evaluate the costs and outcomes of health care 

delivery and to help identify potential areas where improvements are necessary. Finally, all 

components of the population may not be receiving care equally. Following these population 

subgroups over time can provide information about whether greater equity has been achieved or 

whether serious gaps remain. The treatment and preventive care of persons with chronic 

conditions is an issue of particular public policy concern. To ensure adequate access to care is 

available to persons with chronic conditions, it is essential to know how many persons suffer 

from such conditions, as well as the treatment regimens and preventive care they receive. 

Beginning in 2000, enhancements were made to the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) 

to elicit information about the quality of health care received by the people in the United States. 

Questions were added to the core questionnaire to collect data pertaining to selected chronic 

conditions, and the course of treatment and preventive care taken for such conditions. A selfadministered questionnaire ascertaining information about the health care and screening tests 

received by persons with diabetes was also added. This MEPS statistical brief presents 

preliminary analyses of the treatment regimens for individuals with selected chronic conditions 

based on data from the 2000 MEPS. Medical care/treatment for persons 18 or older with 

diabetes, cardiovascular disease, asthma, stroke, and high blood pressure are examined (all 

coverage estimates based on health insurance status for the first part of 2000). All results 

discussed in this statistical brief are statistically significant at the 0.05 level. Standard errors 

for tables are provided following the tables.

HIGHLIGHTS 

Likelihood of selected chronic conditions 

Overall, 10.3 percent of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population age 18 or older 

reported having heart disease, 23.0 percent reported having high blood pressure, 9.1 percent 

reported having asthma, and 6.2 percent reported having diabetes (Table 1). In addition, the 

population age 65 and over had a significantly higher likelihood of having reported heart disease, 

high blood pressure and diabetes relative to those age 18 to 64. Hispanics 18 or older were less 

likely than blacks, or whites and persons of other races to have reported heart disease (5.1 

percent, 8.9 percent and 11.2 percent, respectively). This pattern also held for those 18 or older 

that reported having high blood pressure (15.2 percent, 27.5 percent, and 23.4 percent, 

respectively), as well as those reported having asthma (7.2 percent, 9.7 percent, and 9.3 percent, 

respectively) (Figure 1). Whites and persons of other races 18 and older were more likely to have 

reported heart disease (11.2 percent) than blacks (8.9 percent), whereas blacks 18 and older were 

more likely to have reported high blood pressure (27.5 percent) than whites and persons of other 

races (23.4 percent). Hispanics and blacks 18 or older were more likely to have reported diabetes 
(7.3 percent and 8.9 percent, respectively) than whites and persons of other races (5.6 percent). 

Table 1 also shows persons 18 or older with public insurance only were more likely to have 

reported having heart disease (23.0 percent), high blood pressure (42.7 percent), asthma (13.0 

percent), and diabetes (13.6 percent) than individuals with any private insurance and the 

uninsured (heart disease 9.0 and 5.2 percent, respectively; high blood pressure 21.5 and 13.2 

percent, respectively; asthma 8.7 and 7.9, respectively; and diabetes 5.3 and 3.7 percent, 

respectively). Those 18 and older with any private insurance were more likely than those 

uninsured to report having heart disease (9.0 percent versus 5.2 percent), high blood pressure 

(21.5 percent versus 13.2 percent) and diabetes (5.3 percent versus 3.7 percent).

Medical care for individuals with diabetes 

In 2000, 69.4 percent of diabetics aged 18 or older reported having had a Hemoglobin A1c test 

and 62.8 percent reported having had their feet checked for sores or irritations. For the time 

period covering 2000 through early 2001, 65.9 percent reported having an eye exam in which 

their pupils were dilated (Table 2). It was also noted that Hispanics age 18 or older with diabetes 

were less likely than blacks, as well as whites and individuals of other races to have had a routine 

check-up within the past 12 months (79.7 percent versus 91.7 percent and 87.9 percent, 

respectively). 

Uninsured individuals with diabetes between the ages of 18 to 64 were less likely than the 

privately insured to report having had a Hemoglobin A1c test during 2000 (61.7 percent versus 

78.5 percent) (Figure 2). Uninsured individuals aged 18 to 64 with diabetes were also less likely 

than the privately insured to report having had their feet checked for sores or irritations in 2000 

(48.4 percent versus 65.1 percent) or to report having had a routine check-up within the past 12

months (75.0 percent versus 88.1 percent). Furthermore, uninsured persons age 18-64 with 

diabetes were less likely than those with private insurance or those with public coverage only to 

report having their pupils dilated in an eye exam which occurred between 2000 through early 

2001 (48.9 percent versus 63.8 percent and 67.5 percent, respectively). 

Treatment regimens for individuals with asthma 

The measures under consideration for asthma treatment were prescribed medication utilization, 

use of a steroid inhaler, and having a peak flow meter at home. Table 3 indicates that 47.9 

percent of all asthmatics age 18 or older reported taking prescribed medicines, 29 percent 

reported using steroid inhalers, and 17 percent reported having a peak flow meter in their home. 

Lifestyle advice from healthcare providers and frequency of routine medical exams for 

persons with cardiovascular disease or stroke 

Table 4 illustrates that for persons age 65 and older with heart disease, the likelihood of getting a 

blood pressure check in the past year was somewhat higher than those age 18-64 (98.6 versus 

92.9 percent). Similarly, the age 65 and older population with heart disease were more likely to 

have had a routine check-up in the past 12 months (89.2 percent versus 75.3 percent) or to have 

been counseled by a healthcare professional to moderate their diet (64.7 percent versus 57.2 

percent) (Figure 3). 
Nearly 97 percent (96.5 percent) of persons 18 or older who reported having a stroke reported 

having their blood pressure checked in the past year, and close to 60 percent were told to 

moderate their diet (59.1 percent) or increase their level of physical activity (58.7 percent). 

Persons age 18-64 reporting having a stroke were less likely to have a routine check-up within 

the past 12 months (73.4 percent) than those age 65 and older (86.8 percent). 

About MEPS 

The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) is conducted to provide nationally representative 

estimates of health care use, expenditures, sources of payment, and insurance coverage for the 

U.S. civilian non-institutionalized population. MEPS is sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare 

Research and Quality (AHRQ). More information about MEPS can be obtained from the MEPS 

web site at http://www.meps.ahrq.gov or by calling the MEPS Project Director at (301) 594­

1406. 
Table 1: Percent of persons 18 or older with selected chronic conditions by 

demographic characteristics and health insurance status, 2000 

Population 

characteristics 

Total 

population 

(number of 

persons in 

000's) 

Percent 

with heart 

disease* 

Percent with 

high blood 

pressure 

Percent with 

asthma 

Percent 

with 

diabetes 

Total 200,926 10.3 23.0 9.1 6.2 

Age

 Age 18-64 167,995 6.2 17.0 9.2 4.4

 65 and older 32,930 31.1 53.8 8.5 15.4 

Race/Ethnicity 

and Age

 White and other 156,924 11.2 23.4 9.3 5.6

 Age 18-64 128,540 6.6 17.0 9.5 4.0

 65 and older 28,384 31.6 52.4 8.5 13.3

 Black 22,921 8.9 27.5 9.7 8.9

 Age 18-64 20,144 6.0 22.0 9.9 6.3

 65 and older 2,777 29.4 66.9 8.3 27.8

 Hispanic 21,081 5.1 15.2 7.2 7.3

 Age 18-64 19,311 3.2 11.6 6.9 5.4

 65 and older 1,769 24.9 54.8 10.2 28.6 

Sex and Age

 Male 95,174 10.7 22.4 7.5 6.0

 Age 18-64 81,340 6.3 17.8 7.8 4.4

 65 and older 13,834 36.2 49.9 5.8 15.9

 Female 105,751 9.9 23.5 10.6 6.3

 Age 18-64 86,655 6.0 16.3 10.6 4.4

 65 and older 19,096 27.4 56.5 10.5 15.0 
-- -- -- -- --

Health 

Insurance and 

Age

 Any private 140,227 9.0 21.5 8.7 5.3

 Age 18-64 122,610 5.8 17.1 8.9 4.1

 65 and older 17,616 31.3 52.3 7.5 14.1

 Public only 27,357 23.0 42.7 13.0 13.6

 Age 18-64 12,269 13.0 26.9 16.8 9.5

 65 and older 15,088 31.1 55.6 9.8 17.0

 Uninsured 33,342 5.2 13.2 7.9 3.7

 Age 18-64 33,116 5.2 13.1 7.9 3.7

 65 and older 

* Combines coronary heart disease, angina, myocardial infarction and other heart disease diagnoses.

-- Cell size under 100 observations or standard error equal to or greater than 30 percent.

Note: The diabetes population for Table 1 is based on answering “yes” to a question in the Priority

Conditions section of the MEPS questionnaire, whereas the diabetes population for Table 2 is based on

completing the self administration of the MEPS Diabetes Care Supplement.

Numbers may not add to totals due to rounding. 

Source: Center for Cost and Financing Studies, AHRQ, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, 2000. 
-- -- -- -- --

-- -- -- -- --

Table 2: Number of persons 18 or older with diabetes by selected demographic 

characteristics and insurance status, and percent with specific medical 

examinations and routine check-ups, 2000 

Population 

characteristics 

Total 

population 

(number of 

persons in 

000's) 

Percent who 

had 

Hemoglobin 

A test 1c 

Percent who 

had feet 

checked for 

sores or 

irritations 

Percent who 

had an eye 

exam in 

which pupils 

were 

dilated** 

Percent with 

routine 

check-up 

within past 

12 months 

Total 12,306 69.4 62.8 65.9 87.5 

Age

 Age 18-64 7,223 74.1 61.5 62.0 85.5

 65 and older 5,082 62.8 64.7 71.5 90.4 

Race/ 

Ethnicity and 

Age

 White and other 8,741 71.1 64.5 67.5 87.9

 Age 18-64 4,910 77.5 64.0 63.2 85.7

 65 and older 3,831 62.8 65.1 73.0 90.7

 Black 2,029 62.6 56.0 64.7 91.7

 Age 18-64 1,288 63.5 53.1 60.8 90.5

 65 and older 

Hispanic 1,536 69.2 62.6 58.5 79.7

 Age 18-64 1,025 71.1 60.3 57.7 78.4

 65 and older 

Sex and Age

 Male 5,565 70.2 65.9 68.3 88.6

 Age 18-64 3,344 75.7 64.5 64.1 86.6

 65 and older 2,221 61.8 67.9 74.5 91.6

 Female 6,741 68.8 60.4 64.0 86.6

 Age 18-64 3,879 72.7 59.0 60.2 84.6

 65 and older 2,861 63.6 62.2 69.1 89.3 
-- -- -- -- --

Health 

Insurance and 

Age 

Any private 7,444 73.3 65.4 66.7 89.6

 Age 18-64 4,940 78.5 65.1 63.8 88.1

 65 and older 2,504 63.0 66.0 72.4 92.8 

Public only 3,700 64.3 62.4 69.6 87.2

 Age 18-64 1,127 67.8 59.5 67.5 85.3

 65 and older 2,572 62.7 63.6 70.5 88.0

 Uninsured 1,162 61.4 48.1 49.2 75.2

 Age 18-64 1,156 61.7 48.4 48.9 75.0

 65 and older 

** Percentages in this column include those having an eye exam in 2000 through the early part of 2001.

-- Cell size under 100 observations or standard error equal to or greater than 30 percent.

Note: The diabetes population for Table 1 is based on answering “yes” to a question in the Priority

Conditions section of the MEPS questionnaire, whereas the diabetes population for Table 2 is based on

completing the MEPS Diabetes Care Supplement.

Numbers may not add to totals due to rounding. 

Source: Center for Cost and Financing Studies, AHRQ, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, 2000. 
-- -- -- -- --

-- -- -- -- --

-- -- -- -- --

Table 3: Number of persons 18 or older with asthma by selected demographic 

characteristics and insurance status, and percent with specific treatments and 

routine check-ups, 2000 

Population 

characteristics 

Population 

(number of 

persons in 

000's) 

Percent that 

take 

prescription 

medicines for 

asthma 

Percent that 

use steroid 

inhaler for 

asthma 

Percent 

that have 

peak flow 

meter at 

home 

Percent with 

routine 

check-up 

within past 

12 months 

Total 18,322 47.9 29.0 17.0 64.0 

Age

 Age 18-64 15,511 46.5 27.6 16.1 59.3

 65 and older 2,811 55.8 36.9 21.7 90.0 

Race/Ethnicity 

and Age

 White and other 14,571 47.2 28.6 16.1 62.5

 Age 18-64 12,172 45.6 27.0 15.1 57.1

 65 and older 2,399 55.6 36.6 21.5 89.9

 Black 2,231 51.4 30.4 19.5 67.0

 Age 18-64 2,000 50.3 28.8 20.2 64.3

 65 and older 

Hispanic 1,520 49.7 31.2 21.8 74.2

 Age 18-64 1,339 49.4 30.8 20.0 72.0

 65 and older 

Sex and Age

 Male 7,156 36.8 22.0 12.1 53.6

 Age 18-64 6,353 33.9 19.9 11.1 49.0

 65 and older 

Female 11,166 55.1 33.5 20.1 70.7

 Age 18-64 9,158 55.3 32.9 19.6 66.4

 65 and older 2,008 54.3 36.3 22.3 90.0 
-- -- -- -- --

Health Insurance 

and Age 

Insured 15,701 49.0 29.5 17.4 65.7

 Age 18-64 12,906 47.6 27.9 16.5 60.4

 65 and older 2,795 55.6 36.8 21.5 90.1 

Uninsured 2,621 41.4 26.2 14.8 54.0

 Age 18-64 2,605 41.0 26.0 14.6 53.8

 65 and older 

-- Cell size under 100 observations or standard error equal to or greater than 30 percent. 

Numbers may not add to totals due to rounding. 

Source: Center for Cost and Financing Studies, AHRQ, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, 2000. 
Table 4: Percent of persons 18 or older with cardiovascular conditions obtaining 

lifestyle advice or routine medical exams from healthcare providers, 2000 

Population 

characteristics 

Population 

(number of 

persons in 

000's) 

Percent with 

blood 

pressure 

check within 

past 12 

months 

Percent 

told to 

moderate 

diet 

Percent told 

to increase 

exercise 

Percent with 

routine 

check-up 

within past 

12 months 

Reported 

Condition and 

Age 

Heart disease* 20,596 95.7 60.9 62.0 82.2

 Age 18-64 10,364 92.9 57.2 60.5 75.3

 65 and older 10,232 98.6 64.7 63.6 89.2 

Stroke 4,895 96.5 59.1 58.7 81.9

 Age 18-64 1,802 94.3 52.6 55.5 73.4

 65 and older 3,093 97.8 62.9 60.5 86.8 

* Combines coronary heart disease, angina, myocardial infarction and other heart disease diagnoses.

Numbers may not add to totals due to rounding.

Source: Center for Cost and Financing Studies, AHRQ, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, 2000.
Standard errors to accompany

 Table 1: Percent of persons 18 or older with selected chronic conditions by

demographic characteristics and health insurance status, 2000

Population Percent with Percent with Percent with Percent with

characteristics heart disease* high blood asthma diabetes

pressure

Total 0.33 0.55 0.24 0.26

Age

 Age 18-64 0.26 0.48 0.30 0.23

 65 and older 1.10 1.20 0.79 0.82

Race/Ethnicity and

Age

 White and other 0.38 0.60 0.27 0.28

 Age 18-64 0.29 0.52 0.36 0.26

 65 and older 1.23 1.30 0.83 0.87

 Black 0.79 1.38 0.93 0.83

 Age 18-64 0.62 1.28 1.02 0.70

 65 and older 2.98 3.03 1.90 2.42

 Hispanic 0.47 0.90 0.61 0.55

 Age 18-64 0.39 0.79 0.65 0.53

 65 and older 3.11 3.89 2.15 2.97

Sex and Age

 Male 0.39 0.64 0.38 0.35

 Age 18-64 0.34 0.61 0.43 0.32

 65 and older 1.41 1.66 0.84 1.27

 Female 0.48 0.70 0.36 0.32

 Age 18-64 0.39 0.59 0.44 0.27

 65 and older 1.39 1.50 1.10 0.97

Health Insurance

and Age

 Any private 0.36 0.58 0.31 0.29
 Age 18-64 0.29 0.52 0.35 0.28

 65 and older 1.49 1.55 0.85 1.13

 Public only 0.98 1.30 0.84 0.88

 Age 18-64 1.03 1.50 1.18 1.09

 65 and older 1.33 1.71 1.14 1.19

 Uninsured 0.55 0.71 0.67 0.37

 Age 18-64 0.52 0.72 0.67 0.37

 65 and older -- -- -- --

* Combines coronary heart disease, angina, myocardial infarction and other heart disease diagnoses.

-- Cell size under 100 observations or standard error equal to or greater than 30 percent.

Note: The diabetes population for Table 1 is based on answering “yes” to a question in the Priority

Conditions section of the MEPS questionnaire, whereas the diabetes population for Table 2 is based on

completing the self administration of the MEPS Diabetes Care Supplement.

Source: Center for Cost and Financing Studies, AHRQ, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, 2000.
Standard errors to accompany 

Table 2: Number of persons 18 or older with diabetes by selected demographic

characteristics and insurance status, and percent with specific medical

examinations and routine check-ups, 2000

Population Percent who had Percent who Percent who Percent with

characteristics Hemoglobin A had feet had an eye routine check- 1c

test checked for exam in which up within past

sores or pupils were 12 months

irritations dilated**

Total 1.60 1.69 1.81 1.41

Age

 Age 18-64 1.97 2.26 2.48 1.77

 65 and older 2.61 2.64 2.74 1.77

Race/

Ethnicity and Age

 White and other 1.85 2.36 2.28 1.83

 Age 18-64 2.53 2.95 2.90 2.34

 65 and older 3.09 3.34 3.21 2.30

 Black 4.43 4.27 4.69 2.27

 Age 18-64 6.22 6.52 6.14 2.93

 65 and older -- -- -- --

 Hispanic 3.54 4.01 4.05 3.51

 Age 18-64 4.20 5.18 5.25 4.26

 65 and older -- -- -- --

Sex and Age

 Male 2.62 2.25 2.88 1.73

 Age 18-64 3.24 3.03 3.60 2.46

 65 and older 4.26 3.29 4.27 2.38

 Female 1.97 2.34 2.13 1.78

 Age 18-64 2.27 3.26 3.01 2.11

 65 and older 3.56 3.70 3.09 2.49
Health Insurance

and Age

Any private 2.10 2.33 2.35 1.56

 Age 18-64 2.62 2.58 2.95 1.89

 65 and older 3.62 4.22 3.95 1.87

Public only 2.83 2.99 2.90 2.41

 Age 18-64 5.26 5.57 4.32 4.92

 65 and older 3.67 3.67 3.73 2.63

 Uninsured 5.02 5.85 6.17 4.51

 Age 18-64 5.04 5.89 6.18 4.53

 65 and older -- -- -- --

** Percentages in this column include those having an eye exam in 2000 through the early part of 2001.

-- Cell size under 100 observations or standard error equal to or greater than 30 percent.

Note: The diabetes population for Table 1 is based on answering “yes” to a question in the Priority

Conditions section of the MEPS questionnaire, whereas the diabetes population for Table 2 is based on

completing the MEPS Diabetes Care Supplement.

Source: Center for Cost and Financing Studies, AHRQ, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, 2000.
Standard errors to accompany 

Table 3: Number of persons 18 or older with asthma by selected demographic

characteristics and insurance status, and percent with specific treatments and

routine check-ups, 2000

Population Percent that take Percent that Percent that Percent with

characteristics prescription use steroid have peak routine checkmedicines for inhaler for flow meter up within past

asthma asthma at home 12 months

Total 1.72 1.36 1.26 1.63

Age

 Age 18-64 1.88 1.37 1.35 1.75

 65 and older 3.89 3.93 3.10 2.24

Race/Ethnicity and

Age

 White and other 2.03 1.61 1.32 1.86

 Age 18-64 2.25 1.61 1.48 1.97

 65 and older 4.37 4.50 3.47 2.51

 Black 3.43 3.55 4.05 3.86

 Age 18-64 3.76 3.65 4.43 4.22

 65 and older -- -- -- --

 Hispanic 4.73 3.82 4.32 4.19

 Age 18-64 5.02 4.12 4.43 4.62

 65 and older -- -- -- --

Sex and Age

 Male 2.43 2.01 1.58 2.45

 Age 18-64 2.60 2.05 1.56 2.67

 65 and older -- -- -- --

 Female 1.97 1.64 1.82 1.92

 Age 18-64 2.26 1.79 2.11 2.18

 65 and older 4.34 4.42 3.44 2.61

Health Insurance and

Age
Insured 1.97 1.55 1.26 1.84

 Age 18-64 2.20 1.58 1.36 1.99

 65 and older 3.92 3.95 3.10 2.25

Uninsured 3.80 3.23 3.04 3.76

 Age 18-64 3.82 3.26 3.05 3.77

 65 and older -- -- -- --

-- Cell size under 100 observations or standard error equal to or greater than 30 percent.

Source: Center for Cost and Financing Studies, AHRQ, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, 2000.
Standard errors to accompany

Table 4: Percent of persons 18 or older with cardiovascular conditions obtaining

lifestyle advice or routine medical exams from healthcare providers, 2000

Population Percent with Percent told Percent told to Percent with

characteristics blood pressure to moderate increase exercise routine checkcheck within past diet up within past

12 months 12 months

Reported Condition

and Age

Heart disease* 0.57 1.24 1.60 1.22

 Age 18-64 1.11 1.87 1.94 1.68

 65 and older 0.39 1.66 2.33 1.52

Stroke 0.94 2.99 2.65 2.45

 Age 18-64 1.84 5.53 5.15 4.33

 65 and older 1.03 3.41 3.28 3.04

* Combines coronary heart disease, angina, myocardial infarction and other heart disease diagnoses.

Source: Center for Cost and Financing Studies, AHRQ, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, 2000.