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.

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 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.
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.

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.

The Shockwave Medical M5+ new peripheral intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) catheter cuts procedures times in half and was showed for the first time at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2022 meeting. It is designed to break up calcium in heavily calcified arteries to avoid the need for vessel trauma caused by high pressure angioplasty.

IVL delivers significant value for women, real-world data confirm

Researchers tracked data from nearly 400 women with complex CAD who underwent treatment with Shockwave Medical's intravascular lithotripsy technology prior to PCI.

Rates of obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes keep climbing in US

As time goes on, the gaps between the healthiest states and the least healthy states are only getting wider and wider. "Our findings highlight the urgent need for targeted strategies to reduce state-based inequities in cardiometabolic risk factors,” researchers wrote.

Cardiology, radiology professionals unite to explore the challenges of diagnosing CAD in women

Coronary artery disease is both underdiagnosed and undertreated in women, and they often receive less guideline-recommended care than men. Why do these disparities persist? And what can today’s healthcare providers do to bring about change?

Many older heart failure patients are alone and vulnerable—what can be done to help?

Older heart failure patients with no immediate family are especially vulnerable. Additional interventions may be necessary to reach these patients and provide the best care possible.

Food insecurity increases risk of poor heart health in young adults

Food insecurity—lacking consistent access to the food needed to live an “active, healthy lifestyle”—impacts up to one in eight Americans each year.

Health Disparities

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

Researchers use wearable fitness trackers to monitor sleep, CVD risk

AHA expands efforts to spread the word about CKM syndrome

How anti-DEI healthcare policies are impacting patient care

AMA deeply concerned about Trump policies and cuts to healthcare spending