Ways to reduce health care disparities in minorities
A report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), shows people who are Black and other minorities have higher mortality rates from certain health issues, including heart disease and cancer.
Dr. Kim Barbel Johnson, a Mayo Clinic family medicine physician, discusses ways patients and health care professionals can close the health equity gap.
“We are all aware that health disparities and health inequities have evolved over time,” says Dr. Barbel Johnson.
People who are non-Hispanic Black have higher heart disease death rates than people of other racial and ethnic groups, according to the CDC. While research shows that health insurance coverage has increased for minorities, Hispanic adults are the most likely to lack health insurance and have an unmet need for medical care. Data also shows that people who are Black are more likely to die from cancer than any other group.
Health care disparities are complex for many reasons, including lack of access, historical injustices and bias within the health care industry.
To reduce health care disparities for Black and Brown communities, we need to address the horrific inequities that still exist within the health care system, as well as advocate for system change.
Researchers and clinicians also need to be inclusive regarding trial studies. According to the data, racial and ethnic minorities are not included in many clinical trials for new medications and treatments.
(Source: The Mayo Clinic)
