Disparity in Healthcare Outcomes

Inequitable Access to Care

Cultural Barriers and Miscommunication

Patients from marginalized communities often experience significantly worse health outcomes compared to their counterparts. For example, Black women in the U.S. are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. This disparity is attributed to factors such as systemic racism, implicit biases among healthcare providers, and lack of access to culturally sensitive care.

Studies show that individuals from ethnic minorities are less likely to receive preventative health services. For instance, Hispanic adults are less likely to have access to a regular healthcare provider, which increases the risk of undiagnosed and untreated conditions. This inequity in access results in higher rates of chronic diseases and preventable complications within these communities.

Language barriers and cultural differences often lead to miscommunication between patients and healthcare providers. A survey conducted by the Commonwealth Fund found that 27% of Hispanic patients reported having difficulty understanding their doctors due to language differences. This lack of effective communication can result in misunderstandings about treatment plans, medication adherence, and overall patient satisfaction.

Health Equity Education

A hub of resources and education from the AMA to advance health equity and combat structural racism in healthcare.

Reducing Disparities in Health Care Article

The AMA's mission is to achieve health equity by mitigating disparity factors in the patient population.

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Volunteer and Join Youth Councils

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