CONSORT was initiated to study use of opioids for non-cancer pain among adults age 18+ in Group Health Cooperative (located in Washington State) and Kaiser Permanente of Northern California over a ten year period (1997–2006). The two health plans serve about four million persons--over one-percent of the U.S. population. CONSORT research plans were reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Boards of both health plans.
The demographics of Group Health and Kaiser Permanente are similar to those of their respective regions [14 ,15 ]. There are fewer African-Americans in Western Washington and Northern California than in the U.S. population as a whole, but more Asians and Pacific Islanders. Kaiser Permanente’s membership includes 6% African-Americans, 12% Hispanics, and 17% Asian/Pacific Islanders, whereas Group Health’s includes 3% African-Americans, 2% Hispanics, and 4% Asian/Pacific Islanders. The populations of both health plans are similar in terms of educational attainment and household income to their regional populations. Both health plans serve older populations enrolled in Medicare and lower income persons insured by Medicaid and State health insurance programs for low income populations.
The demographics of Group Health and Kaiser Permanente are similar to those of their respective regions [14 ,15 ]. There are fewer African-Americans in Western Washington and Northern California than in the U.S. population as a whole, but more Asians and Pacific Islanders. Kaiser Permanente’s membership includes 6% African-Americans, 12% Hispanics, and 17% Asian/Pacific Islanders, whereas Group Health’s includes 3% African-Americans, 2% Hispanics, and 4% Asian/Pacific Islanders. The populations of both health plans are similar in terms of educational attainment and household income to their regional populations. Both health plans serve older populations enrolled in Medicare and lower income persons insured by Medicaid and State health insurance programs for low income populations.
