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.

Artifacts from hair on X-rays shed light on health equity gap

Do radiologists see how the hair styles of Black and brown people impact imaging exams?

Radiology services much harder to come by if you’re Black or Latino and living in the US

Relative to other hospitals, those serving racial and ethnic minorities had significantly lower odds of offering 7 of 12 diagnostic radiology exams, new research shows.

Women in rural areas, especially racial minorities, are less likely to receive a mammogram

A study looking at older Medicare beneficiaries in Texas highlights a need for targeted breast cancer screening outreach.

‘Alarming’ study results show uneven distribution of radiologists in 1 state

There is 1 radiologist for every 5,861 residents in the wealthiest counties versus 1 for every 7,861 in the poorest, researchers wrote in Cureus.

Malissa Wood, MD. explains why Mass General created a program to combat racism and health equity.

Why health equity is important in cardiology

Malissa Wood, MD, associate chief of cardiology for diversity and equity at Massachusetts General Hospital, explains the role of health equity in cardiovascular care and what her health system is doing to address it.

Why women with peripheral artery disease are underdiagnosed, have worse outcomes

Using the World Health Organization’s model for analyzing gender-related healthcare needs, the authors of a new analysis aimed to explore disparities in PAD outcomes.

Cardiologists warn Biden administration that new policies could put PAD patients at risk

SCAI and the Association of Black Cardiologists have joined forces to share a simple message: PAD patients would be negatively impacted by new CMS proposals.

Incoming 2023-2024 American College of Cardiology (ACC) president Hadley Wilson, MD, shares insights on how to create health equity through both ACC programs and hospital grassroots community outreach programs. He outlines four programs his heart hospital is piloting in its community in Charlotte, North Carolina.

How cardiologists can address health disparities in their communities

Incoming 2023-2024 American College of Cardiology president Hadley Wilson, MD, shared insights on how to create health equity through grassroots community outreach programs.

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