University of Louisiana Monroe Assistant Professor of Economics Ahmad Reshad Osmani, Ph.D., of the College of Business and Social Sciences, was recently awarded the West Cancer Initiative Award and a $5,000 grant for his research proposal.
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Osmani鈥檚 research is titled, 鈥淩acial and ethnic disparities in healthcare services utilization among uterine cancer survivors: New evidence from pre- and post- Affordable Care Act of 2010.鈥
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He will examine whether the key element of the 2010 U.S. Affordable Care Act (ACA) 鈥 mandating private health insurers to cover preventative care without cost-sharing 鈥 reduces the racial and ethnic disparities in health services utilization for uterine cancer survivors.
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According to Osmani, the research could inform practice and improve racial, ethnic minority female population health outcomes, workplace productivity and earnings, and reduce early retirements.
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鈥淭he findings of this research project have both practice and policy implications for health insurance coverage and improving health outcomes of racial and ethnic minority cancer survivors in the U.S.,鈥 Osmani said. 鈥淎ny strategic modification of healthcare systems that aims to lower the racial and ethnic disparity in health service utilization potentially reduces mortality differentials. From a policy perspective, states that have not expanded Medicaid should be informed of the contributions of the ACA in reducing health disparities and potential cost of care.鈥
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The research could lead to increased funding for telehealth services, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic鈥檚 disruption of access to health care.
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Osmani is the principal investigator with co-principal investigators Albert Okunade, Ph.D., Professor of Economics, and Ebenezer George, Ph.D., Professor of Mathematics, both of the University of Memphis.
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About Ahmad Reshad Osmani, Ph.D.
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Osmani joined 网曝门 in 2020. He is a health economist focused on data-driven research that can inform public policy and practice. He has analyzed the effects of cancer on labor market outcomes, studied the impact of race and ethnicity on job market outcomes of cancer survivors, and examined the influence of supply-side financing on health care use and quality in developing countries.听
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Osmani has published his research in leading economics journals, including the Economic Modelling, Applied Economics Letters, Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Economics and Finance, The Review of Black Political Economy.听 He has presented his work at the American Economic Association, Western Economic Association International and Midwest Economic Association and International Health Economics Association annual meetings.
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Osmani received his Master鈥檚 and a Doctorate in Economics from the University of Memphis.