Health disparities are a continuous and pressing issue in today’s health care industry. From high mortality rates to limited accessibility to a lack of Black physicians, the social determinants of health go far beyond what we imagine. Marsalis Avenue Urgent Care Clinic strives for an equitable society and is placed in an underserved community, confirming our commitment to health equity.
Socioeconomic status is one of the top reasons health disparities exist. Patients in low-income neighborhoods have less access to proper health care, leading to a higher prevalence of preventable disease, death and overall worse health outcomes in those areas. Longstanding racial bias and discrimination also highly contribute to these disparities. According to a study done by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), for every 10% increase of Black primary care physicians, there was a greater life expectancy of 30.6 days among Black people in that community.
Additionally, Black Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with or die from diabetes, heart disease, HIV/AIDS and other STIs, prostate cancer, sickle cell disease and many more.
Black and Indigenous women face burdens especially hard, as they have the highest rates of maternal mortality and morbidity than any other race, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Restricted reproductive rights also contribute to adequate treatment of complicated pregnancies.
There is also the issue of misdiagnosis, particularly in mental health. Mental health practitioners are known to give Black Americans inaccurate diagnoses or severe diagnoses, such as schizophrenia instead of depression, resulting in improper treatment.
So, how do we tackle these issues? We must address health disparities with a multi-faceted approach. It is vital to place more mental health, urgent care and emergency centers in underrepresented communities. Additionally, these medical centers must provide affordable and quality health care to the community members. As a physician, this includes expanding insurance coverage and health awareness. We must continue to grow and invest in these communities.
Another essential factor is encouraging more minority students to consider medical school. Only 5.7% of U.S. physicians identify as Black or African American. Further, Black patients receive better health outcomes when they have Black primary care doctors. The severe underrepresentation of Black health care workers and medical students in residency further exacerbates the Black health crisis.
The fight against discrimination in health care requires a collective effort. We know and understand what the underlying causes are. Now, it is our responsibility to dismantle those barriers and improve the lives of underserved patients. Health is a right, not a privilege, and the sooner we work together, the sooner we can build a future where everyone has an opportunity to live a long and healthy life.
