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.

HHS reports 40% decline in uninsured black Americans with the Affordable Care Act

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a new report March 8 that shows historic gains in healthcare coverage among black Americans.

AMA launches initiative to support more equitable health innovation

The AMA created initiative to supports leading industry stakeholders in committing to equitable health innovation opportunities targeted to improving health outcomes in historically marginalized communities.

AMA releases new toolkit with 5 steps to achieve racial, health equity

The "Racial and Health Equity: Concrete STEPS for Health Systems toolkit is the latest addition to a collection of more than 70 other toolkits that cover transformative medical practice solutions.

Telerobotic ultrasound improves imaging access to underserved communities

Most examinations successfully answered clinical questions, doctors reported in the Journal of the American College of Radiology.

Radiology Health Equity Coalition urges others to join and address ‘jarring’ imaging disparities

The American College of Radiology pointed to screening exams as a possible area to enhance imaging access and utilization.

Hispanic PAD patients often face longer hospitalizations, higher costs

Hispanic adults with peripheral artery disease tend to seek care through the emergency department—and they are paying the price.

Removing bias from the treatment of heart disease

Physician bias can create disparities in patient care, and the team behind a new program at the University of Arizona hopes to address that issue.

Medicare improves racial healthcare inequities

Medicare is associated with reductions in racial and ethnic disparities in insurance coverage, access to care and self-reported health across the U.S., according to a new study published in JAMA.

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