A regional analysis of healthcare utilization trends during consecutive disasters in puerto rico using private claims data

Jim P Stimpson; Damaris Lopez Mercado; Alexandra C Rivera-González; Jonathan Purtle; Alexander N Ortega

doi:10.1038/s41598-025-89983-1

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A regional analysis of healthcare utilization trends during consecutive disasters in puerto rico using private claims data

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

A regional analysis of healthcare utilization trends during consecutive disasters in puerto rico using private claims data

Jim P Stimpson, Damaris Lopez Mercado, Alexandra C Rivera-González, Jonathan Purtle and Alexander N Ortega

Scientific reports, v 15(1), 5249

12 Feb 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-89983-1

PMID: 39939467

Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel

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Abstract

Adult

Communicable Diseases - epidemiology

COVID-19 - epidemiology

Cyclonic Storms

Disasters

Female

Humans

Male

Middle Aged

Pandemics

Patient Acceptance of Health Care - statistics & numerical data

Puerto Rico - epidemiology

SARS-CoV-2

Mental Health Services

Puerto Rico has endured multiple natural disasters in recent years, including Hurricanes Irma and Maria (2017), earthquakes (2019), and the COVID-19 pandemic (2020), which placed significant strain on its healthcare system. This study examined trends in health care utilization for injuries, infectious diseases, and mental health services across Puerto Rico's health regions from 2016 to 2022. Using private claims data from four major insurers, we analyzed trends in health care utilization rates per 1,000 beneficiaries across seven health regions. Infectious disease claims rose significantly following each disaster, with the sharpest increases observed post-2020, particularly in the Caguas region. Mental health and substance use claims exhibited a consistent upward trend across all health regions, with Caguas and Ponce reporting the largest increases. Injury claims declined in 2020 but rebounded in most regions by 2021, with Caguas consistently reporting the highest rates. These findings highlight the substantial and varied impacts of consecutive disasters on health care utilization in Puerto Rico, particularly for infectious diseases and mental health services. Notable regional disparities, such as higher utilization rates in Caguas, underscore the need for interventions to strengthen health system resilience and ensure equitable healthcare access in preparation for future disasters.

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Title: A regional analysis of healthcare utilization trends during consecutive disasters in puerto rico using private claims data
Creators: Jim P Stimpson (Corresponding Author) - The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Damaris Lopez Mercado - Drexel University, Dana and David Dornsife School of Public Health
Alexandra C Rivera-González - University of California, Merced
Jonathan Purtle - New York University
Alexander N Ortega - University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Publication Details: Scientific reports, v 15(1), 5249
Publisher: Nature Publishing
Grants: The Puerto Rico Healthcare System Before and After Three Public Health Disasters, 1R01MD016426-01A1, National Institutes of Health (United States, Bethesda) - NIH
Resource Type: Journal article
Language: English
Academic Unit: Dana and David Dornsife School of Public Health
Web of Science ID: WOS:001421210700009
Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85218815925
Other Identifier: 991022197304504721