Is geography destiny? Illuminating the survival advantage of elderly patients in New England after acute myocardial infarction

Regional differences in the use of health care services are pervasive in the United States. In the Medicare program, geographic variations are clearly evident despite standardized basic benefits for elderly Americans. With the development of evidence-based clinical guidelines over the past decade, interest has grown in assessing regional differences in the treatment and outcomes of important conditions such as acute myocardial infarction. (August 2003)