Impact of pharmacy closures and structural racism on medication adherence in older adults
Official title: Structural Racism, Pharmacy Closures and Disparities in Medication Adherence Among Older Adult Medicare Part-D Beneficiaries
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11080994 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how things like racism and the closing of pharmacies make it harder for older Black and Hispanic adults on Medicare to get their medications, helping us understand the challenges they face in staying healthy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $404,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG080090-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11080994 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adult Medicare Part-D beneficiaries, especially those from Black and Hispanic backgrounds living in areas affected by pharmacy closures.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger than 65 or those who do not rely on Medicare Part-D for their medications may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how structural racism and pharmacy closures affect medication adherence among older adult Medicare Part-D beneficiaries, particularly focusing on racial and ethnic disparities. It aims to understand the community-level barriers that older Black and Hispanic individuals face in accessing their medications, which are often exacerbated by geographic segregation and pharmacy accessibility issues. By analyzing various data sources, the research will explore the relationship between pharmacy closures and medication adherence rates, highlighting the role of Medicare Part-D policies in these disparities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved policies that enhance medication access and adherence for older adults, particularly in minority communities.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific focus on pharmacy closures and structural racism is relatively novel, previous research has shown that addressing community-level barriers can significantly improve health outcomes for marginalized populations.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Qato, Dima Mazen — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Qato, Dima Mazen
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.