Many Patients of Color Expect and Prepare for Unfair Health Care

Follow Drugslib on

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com.

By Physician’s Briefing Staff HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 6, 2023 -- Minorities often feel a deep sense of dread before doctor appointments, and some even try to dress especially well for their visit to try and ward off the possibility they will face insults or unfair care. According to a new poll conducted by health policy research group KFF, three in five Black respondents prepare this way for a medical visit.

"It's exhausting," survey respondent Christine Wright told the Associated Press. The 60-year-old Black woman said she has faced years of discrimination, including a racial slur once from a nurse. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017, she finally found a doctor she trusts. But she noted she still makes sure to dress well for any medical appointments, putting on jewelry, a nice coat, and making sure her hair is done.

She is not the only minority patient to feel this way. The poll revealed 55 percent of Black respondents said they believe they must be careful about their appearance to get fair treatment in doctors' offices. That is similar to the rate for Hispanic and Alaska Native patients -- and nearly double the rate for White patients, the poll showed.

Meanwhile, nearly 30 percent of Black respondents said they prepare to be insulted, also about double the rate for White patients. The survey was conducted June 6 to Aug. 14 online and by telephone among a nationally representative sample of 6,292 U.S. adults.

"While there have been efforts in health care for decades to document disparities and advance health equity, this survey shows the impact racism and discrimination continue to have on people's health care experiences," KFF President and CEO Drew Altman said in a news release announcing the survey results. "And people in the survey reported that racism and discrimination have affected not only the care they get, but also their health and well-being."

Even though high numbers of minorities polled said they prepare for insults or feel their appearance can influence how they are treated at the doctor, 93 percent said they have not been treated unfairly or with disrespect in a health care setting because of their race or ethnic background in the past three years.

But there were still wide differences seen among racial groups. Asians and Hispanics were three times more likely to say they have been treated badly in a health care setting because of their race than White respondents, while Black respondents were six times more likely.

Associated Press Article

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

Source: HealthDay

Posted : 2023-12-07 08:15

Read more

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Popular Keywords