2017 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report

For the 15th 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 Workgroup 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. A slide presentation (PPT, 1.25 MB) is also available and can be downloaded free of charge.

Introduction and Methods (PDF, 893.4 KB)
Report and Appendixes A, C, D, and E (PDF, 4.3 MB)
- Appendix A. Selected Measure Data
- Appendix C. Data Sources Used for 2017 Report
- Appendix D. Definitions Used in 2017 Report
- Appendix E. National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report Crosswalk With Vital Signs: Core Metrics for Health and HealthCare Progress
Appendix B. List of Measures and Summary of Results for Figures (PDF, 4.5 MB)
Data Sources (PDF, 1.1 MB)
Measure Specifications
- Introduction and Access to Care (PDF, 958 KB)
- Patient Safety (PDF, 326 KB)
- Person-Centered Care (PDF, 143 KB)
- Care Coordination (PDF, 228 KB)
- Effectiveness of Care (PDF, 321 KB)
- Healthy Living (PDF, 306 KB)
- Affordable Care (PDF, 134 KB)
- Priority Populations (PDF, 123 KB)
- Supplemental Measures (PDF, 627 KB)

Additional Methods Information

Related Data and Tools

Page last reviewed November 2018
Page originally created July 2018

Internet Citation: 2017 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report. Content last reviewed November 2018. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/nhqrdr/nhqdr17/index.html