African Americans have higher rates of mortality than whites who are the same age and sex. We hypothesize that in low socioeconomic status neighborhoods, having health insurance coverage and a regular health care provider increases the likelihood of receiving diagnostic tests for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. We use data from a random two-stage cluster sample of 230 adults living in high poverty census tracts to examine the effects of insurance coverage and having a regular doctor on the likelihood receiving diagnostic tests for high cholesterol, high blood sugar, and blood pressure. We find that health insurance coverage increases the odds of having a regular health care provider (p
Highlights • The effect of health insurance on testing for cardiovascular disease is examined. • Health insurance increases the odds of being tested. • Having a regular health care provider mediates the effect of insurance on testing. • The mediation is greatest when the patient can report the doctor's name.