Racial Discrimination and Health Disparities against African-Amrican patients by healthcare providers

Overview

In the United States, African Americans tend to receive lower quality of healthcare than non-minorities even when factors such as income and insurance are controlled. These disparities are linked to the historic segregation and discrimination this minority subgroup has faced and continues to face. Research suggests that racial differences in access to care, receipt of medical care and access to treatments may be the result of healthcare providers bias- conscious or unconscious (Smedely)

Racial Health Disparities in the United States

Racial minorities, especially African-Americans, face disparities in access to health care, the quality of care received and health outcomes (Hall, William J et al.) U.S. racial disparities against African Americans are a consequence of multiple factors including the disproportionate prevalence of low socioeconomic status, less healthy lifestyles, resource-poor neighbourhood environments, and more inadequate access to care (Shavers) According to the National Healthcare Disparities Report, White patients receive better quality of care than African Americans who also face more barriers to accessing care including preventive services, acute treatment and chronic disease management (Agency). Compared to all other U.S. major racial groups, African Americans also have the highest rates of morbidity and mortality for almost all diseases and decreased life expectancy (Sahvers).

Differences in healthcare occur in the context of greater historic and contemporary social inequality and persistent racial discrimination in the U.S. (smedley). According to Smedley et al. (2002), discrimination is defined as “biases, prejudices, stereotyping, and uncertainty in clinical communication and decision-making” (smedley). Although covert discrimination towards African Americans has diminished, subtle forms of discrimination and bias have been linked to racial disparities in health outcomes. Racial disparities occur when healthcare providers produce discriminatory patterns of behaviour towards minority (African American) patients during a clinical encounter. These include clinical uncertainty when interacting with the patient and stereotypes and bias/prejudice held about the health of the patients. Consequently, these mechanisms lead to racial health disparities, via processes of clinical decision-making.