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.

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.
AMA deeply concerned about Trump policies and cuts to healthcare spending
American Medical Association President Bruce Scott, MD, has expressed major concerns about significant healthcare spending cuts proposed by the Trump administration. These include reductions to Medicaid, deep cuts to NIH funding, staffing reductions, and policy changes at key federal agencies.
AMA president warns prior authorization hurting patients, driving burnout and practice closures
American Medical Association President Bruce Scott, MD, explains the growing issues with insurance prior authorization impacting patient care and what the AMA is doing about it.
Meditation linked to ‘real, lasting benefits’ for high-risk heart patients
A popular meditation technique may help high-risk patients protect their hearts for up to 10 years, according to a new randomized controlled trial published in Frontiers in Medicine.
How private equity influences care for heart failure patients
Overall, 30-day outcomes were not significantly different for hospitals after being acquired by a private equity firm. However, the study’s authors did identify trends that suggest there may be a drop in the quality of care.

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.

American Medical Association (AMA) President Bruce Scott, MD, an otolaryngologist in Louisville, Kentucky, explains the AMA has major concerns about the large Trump administration cuts to healthcare spending, proposed cuts to Medicaid, and the gutting of NIH funding and staff reductions and policy changes at federal agencies. But, he is hopeful there might also be opportunities to work with the administration and its reform agenda, starting with Medicare reimbursement reform.

AMA deeply concerned about Trump policies and cuts to healthcare spending

American Medical Association President Bruce Scott, MD, has expressed major concerns about significant healthcare spending cuts proposed by the Trump administration. These include reductions to Medicaid, deep cuts to NIH funding, staffing reductions, and policy changes at key federal agencies.

AMA president Bruce Scott, MD, warns prior authorization is hurting patients and causing doctors to call it quits.

AMA president warns prior authorization hurting patients, driving burnout and practice closures

American Medical Association President Bruce Scott, MD, explains the growing issues with insurance prior authorization impacting patient care and what the AMA is doing about it.

Meditation linked to ‘real, lasting benefits’ for high-risk heart patients

A popular meditation technique may help high-risk patients protect their hearts for up to 10 years, according to a new randomized controlled trial published in Frontiers in Medicine.

How private equity influences care for heart failure patients

Overall, 30-day outcomes were not significantly different for hospitals after being acquired by a private equity firm. However, the study’s authors did identify trends that suggest there may be a drop in the quality of care.

Black medical students have little interest in cardiothoracic surgery

Medical students pointed to a lack of experience with cardiothoracic surgery as a primary reason for their lack of interest. In addition, many believe they may encounter a bias against Black trainees if they got involved in the specialty.

Rishi Wadhera, MD, MPP, MPhil, associate director of the Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Center for Outcomes Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, Explains a report showing socioeconomic factors are driving increased cardiovascular death rates, especially in younger adults, and urges action to address these health disparities.

Death from heart disease more common in rural areas—what can cardiologists do?

Rishi Wadhera, MD, detailed new data that show how socioeconomic factors are driving cardiovascular death rates, especially in younger adults.

Mario Gaudino, MD, explains why cardiac surgery trials need more diversity to better inform treatment decisions for women and minorities.

The lack of diversity in cardiac surgery trials may be harmful to patients

Mario Gaudino, MD, PhD, told Cardiovascular Business there is a major need for more women and minorities in today's clinical trials.