Health Disparities

Health disparities have the largest impact on the access, quality of care and outcomes overall in many patient populations defined by factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, education level, income, disability, geographic location. Many other factors also play a role, including if a patient is in a rural of urban location, distances to hospitals, pharmacies and clinics. These factors of inequitable access or healthcare are often directly related to the historical and ongoing unequal distribution of social, political, economic, and environmental resources. This page includes content defining health disparities and efforts to address them.

P‐waves can help identify Black patients prone to developing AFib
Research that followed patients for more than 13 years suggests increases in ECG PR interval, P‐wave duration and PTFV1 are associated with increased AFib risk in this cohort.
How clinicians can combat health disparities in cardio-oncology
Researchers, for example, could improve disparities by performing their tests on more diverse groups of patients. Daniel Addison, MD, shared his perspective with Cardiovascular Business.
Pushback against Trump's $100K visa fee continues with new lawsuit
As a new lawsuit targets the unpopular policy, the American College of Cardiology and other medical societies worry that $100,000 fees will make the ongoing physician shortage much worse.
ACC: Global health workforce is in need of investment to combat noncommunicable diseases
The American College of Cardiology has committed to reducing morbidity and mortality from noncommunicable diseases by 30% by 2030, but significant investments will be needed to expand the healthcare workforce.
High cost of cardiac amyloidosis drugs may limit access for low-income patients
"We cannot accept a system where only those with means can benefit from life-changing drugs. We are a wealthy nation that spends trillions on healthcare. We must ensure that income and wealth do not determine access," explained JACC Editor-in-Chief Harlan M. Krumholz, MD.

P‐waves can help identify Black patients prone to developing AFib

Research that followed patients for more than 13 years suggests increases in ECG PR interval, P‐wave duration and PTFV1 are associated with increased AFib risk in this cohort.

Daniel Addison, MD, Director of Translational Research in the Cardiology Division and Associate Director for Survivorship and Outcomes Research in the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center. He also holds the Audre and Bernard Rapport Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Research, UT Southwestern Medical Center. explains the health disparities and inequities involved in cardio-oncology.

How clinicians can combat health disparities in cardio-oncology

Researchers, for example, could improve disparities by performing their tests on more diverse groups of patients. Daniel Addison, MD, shared his perspective with Cardiovascular Business.

Pushback against Trump's $100K visa fee continues with new lawsuit

As a new lawsuit targets the unpopular policy, the American College of Cardiology and other medical societies worry that $100,000 fees will make the ongoing physician shortage much worse.

Chris Kramer ACC president will be moderating a global state of health meeting to help the UN better understand the need for investing in preventive care healthcare workers.

ACC: Global health workforce is in need of investment to combat noncommunicable diseases

The American College of Cardiology has committed to reducing morbidity and mortality from noncommunicable diseases by 30% by 2030, but significant investments will be needed to expand the healthcare workforce.

Cardiac amyloidosis ATTR-CM drug promotion at the 2024 American Heart Association meeting.

High cost of cardiac amyloidosis drugs may limit access for low-income patients

"We cannot accept a system where only those with means can benefit from life-changing drugs. We are a wealthy nation that spends trillions on healthcare. We must ensure that income and wealth do not determine access," explained JACC Editor-in-Chief Harlan M. Krumholz, MD.

Researchers use wearable fitness trackers to monitor sleep, CVD risk

A new two-year study is focused on the potential of using commercially available fitness trackers to identify patients who may face an increased risk of CVD.

AHA Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Health Initiative regions as of July 2025.

AHA expands efforts to spread the word about CKM syndrome

This is a rapidly growing area of interest in cardiology as research continues to find close links between heart disease and kidney disease.

The first Black American College of Cardiology (ACC) president Kim Allan Williams, Sr., MD, MACC, MASNC, FAHA, FESC, chair, department of medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, explains the impact of Trump administration restrictions on diversity equity and inclusion (DEI) on healthcare programs and clinical trials that address women, minority and low-income patients.

How anti-DEI healthcare policies are impacting patient care

All over the United States, countless research projects designed to improve outcomes have lost funding or been shut down. Even screening efforts targeting patients in impoverished communities have been impacted by these policies.