Examining the Relationship between Emergency Department Utilization and Arrest Using Integrated Data from Camden, NJ

• In Event: Journeying through Systems of Health Care and Justice: Understanding the Phenomenon of “Cross-Systems Utilization”

Abstract

The healthcare and criminal justice systems are not equipped to effectively address the complex health and social needs of individuals who cycle through both systems repeatedly. Due in part to historical and institutional barriers to data sharing across systems, we know little about the experiences of people that are engaged in a persistent cycle of cross-system utilization. Analyzing integrated hospital claims and police arrest data for the years 2010-2014, the current study seeks to uncover distinct patterns of emergency department utilization and arrest among adults in Camden, NJ using group-based trajectory modeling. Dual trajectory analysis is also used to assess the relationship between trajectories for the two outcomes of interest (i.e., ED utilization and arrest). Findings will assist in developing more informed approaches to addressing the issues of cross-system utilization by illuminating unique clusters of need that can be targeted with treatment, service packages, or policy initiatives.

Authors

• Courtney S Harding, Temple University

• Caterina Gouvis Roman, Temple University