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Omar P. Haqqani, for the Daily News

Dr. Haqqani: Eliminating disparity in health care

The medical community should make every effort to eliminate the impact of racism in health care. Although the disparities are being brought to light by the current pandemic, the problem has been acknowledged in the past. Now is the time for health care professionals to aggressively seek to reverse the impact of negative attitudes and practices that have long been in place.

Causes and effects of racism in health care

There is an alarmingly high national rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths within the minority community, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is 4.5% higher for African Americans than that of the non-minority population. It also rises for Hispanic or Latino individuals and Native Americans.

Aside from the increases brought to light by the coronavirus, the disparity in general good health can be seen across the board in every medical arena. The higher rates of diabetes, obesity, hypertension and other conditions among minorities have contributed not only to higher coronavirus consequences, but to cardiovascular issues, kidney failure and other dangerous circumstances.

In a report published in the archive of biomedical and life sciences journal literature at the U.S. National Institutes of Health's National Library of Medicine in 2019, unequal access to medical care for minorities is a major factor in fostering health inequities. Other factors in maintaining or widening the gap include a lack of childhood development, a higher rate of poverty, and income inequality between minority workers and non-minority workers. Housing and other social and economic factors are also important in the health care disparity discussion. While they may not all seem related specifically to medical care, they result in inadequate circumstances for minorities.

Lack of preventative care

The economic disadvantages more frequently faced by minorities in childhood and adulthood lead to less consistent medical care. Infrequent checkups and less education about signs of disease increase the odds of major health difficulties. According to the NIH/NLM report, only 3% of all health care money in the United States is spent on preventative care. Many dangerous medical conditions, including cardiovascular issues, are preventable, or at least more controllable when warning signs are detected.

The economic factors of racism decrease the probability of prevention. Because wages are lower, doctor visits are infrequent. Many low paying jobs do not include health benefits. Workers may also resist relinquishing a day's pay to go to a doctor's office for a checkup, as well.

Availability and procedural disparities

The there is also a fracture quality of health care for minorities once a diagnosis is made and treatment is prescribed. The impact of this is obvious in all age groups. Infant mortality rates are higher and life expectancy is shorter in minority communities. In one example of specific treatment recommendations, the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology cites a study that revealed that 35% fewer minority patients who were eligible for kidney transplants received them, versus the non-minority eligible patients.

Steps the medical community must take

Addressing social risk factors among minorities, diversifying the health care work force, improving the availability of health care and providing more avenues to primary care are among the strategies that can help.

There are programs in place that provide outreach into minority and underprivileged communities to provide better health care. Medical institutions should encourage their doctors and nurses to participate in programs that deal with childhood intervention, senior care and assistance to the disabled.

The American Medical Association has acknowledged that bias exists within health systems and peripheral institutions that contribute to the disparities. Health professionals and institutions are being urged to examine and correct it.

Ask Dr. Haqqani

If you have questions about your cardiovascular health, including heart, blood pressure, stroke lifestyle and other issues, we want to answer them. Please submit your questions to Dr. Haqqani by e-mail at questions@vascularhealthclinics.org.

Dr. Omar P. Haqqani is the chief of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery at Vascular Health Clinics in Midland: http://www.vascularhealthclinics.org

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Dr. Haqqani: Eliminating disparity in health care - Midland Daily News

This entry was posted on July 7, 2020 at 4:46 pm and is filed under Preventative Medicine. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |