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.

A novel, cost-effective way to deliver care: Treat high blood pressure at Black-owned barbershops

Hypertension rates are higher among Black men than any other racial or ethnic group in the entire country.

Racial, ethnic disparities ranked No. 1 patient-safety issue of the year

Preparedness for pandemic response is only the third most pressing patient-safety concern in 2021, according to the ECRI Institute.

American Medical Association declares racism an ‘urgent public health threat’

AMA called for systemic and structural change to improve the health of the nation as a whole.

Initiative aims to leverage technology in mitigating healthcare disparities

AI is a key part of the plan as two groups with little in common come together over health disparities that have only been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.

CDC commits to improving COVID-19 disparities with new data-driven strategy

The agency released a document Friday outlining its approach, which also includes more testing, contact tracing, and safely quarantining, isolating and treating minorities at risk.

AHA condemns Trump administration’s latest attack on ACA

The American Heart Association noted that the Affordable Care Act has provided “invaluable patient protections for millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions.”

Society of Thoracic Surgeons condemns racism and violence as protests intensify

As protests continue throughout the world in the wake of George Floyd’s death, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons has issued a statement condemning racism and violence.

In wake of George Floyd’s death, cardiovascular groups denounce ‘incidents of racism and violence’

The Association of Black Cardiologists, American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology have collaborated on a joint statement that touches on the death of George Floyd and its connection to the cardiovascular health of racial minorities in the United States.

Health Disparities

How anti-DEI healthcare policies are impacting patient care

AMA deeply concerned about Trump policies and cuts to healthcare spending

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

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

How private equity influences care for heart failure patients