National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Reports

2018 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report

For the 16th year in a row, AHRQ is reporting on healthcare quality and disparities. The annual National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report is mandated by Congress to provide a comprehensive overview of the quality of healthcare received by the general U.S. population and disparities in care experienced by different racial and socioeconomic groups. The report is produced with the help of an Interagency Work Group led by AHRQ.

Introduction

The National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report assesses the performance of our healthcare system and identifies areas of strengths and weaknesses, as well as disparities, for access to healthcare and quality of healthcare. Quality is described in terms of six priorities: patient safety, person-centered care, care coordination, effective treatment, healthy living, and care affordability. The report is based on more than 250 measures of quality and disparities covering a broad array of healthcare services and settings.

Report Files

AHRQ no longer offers print copies of the report, but the files are set up for two-sided color printing and may be downloaded free of charge. If you have questions about printing or copying, contact Doreen Bonnett at 301-427-1899 or doreen.bonnett@ahrq.hhs.gov.

• Introduction and Methods (PDF, 1.3 MB)
• Report and Appendixes B and C (Accessible PDF, 5 MB)
• Appendix B. Definitions and Abbreviations Used in 2018 Report
• Appendix C. Data Sources Used for 2018 Report
• Appendix A. List of Measures and Summary of Results for Figures (PDF, 4.7 MB)
• Appendix A.1. Access to Care (PDF, 104 KB)
• Appendix A.2. Quality Trends (PDF, 137 KB)
• Appendix A.3. Disparities: Race and Ethnicity (PDF, 1,7 MB)
• Appendix A.4. Disparities: Income (PDF, 1 MB)
• Appendix A.5. Disparities: Insurance Status (PDF, 270 KB)
• Appendix A.6. Disparities: Residence Location (PDF, 650 KB)
• Data Sources (PDF, 540.6 KB)
• Measure Specifications (PDF, 3.6 MB)
• Additional Methods Information
• Methods Applying AHRQ Quality Indicators to Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) Data for the 2018 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report (QDR) (PDF file, 1.1 MB)
• Detailed Methods for the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (PDF, 343 KB)

Related Data and Tools

• Quality and Disparities Report Data and Tools
• Data Query (search data across specific measures)

Old Reports

• 2017 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
• 2016 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
• 2015 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report and 5th Anniversary Update on the National Quality Strategy
• National Healthcare Quality & Disparities Report, 2014
• National Healthcare Disparities Report, 2013
• National Healthcare Quality Report, 2013
• National Healthcare Disparities Report, 2012
• National Healthcare Quality Report, 2012
• National Healthcare Disparities Report, 2011
• National Healthcare Quality Report, 2011
• National Healthcare Disparities Report, 2010
• National Healthcare Quality Report, 2010