Racial Disparities in American Health Care: Impact on Patient-Provider Interactions

The recent survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) has shed light on the deeply rooted racial disparities in American health care. It revealed that people of color, particularly Black respondents, feel a pressing need to prepare themselves when visiting a medical professional. Such preparation often includes being extra careful about their appearance and mentally bracing themselves for potential insults and discriminatory treatment.

The Burden of Anticipation

The anticipation of unequal treatment can significantly impact patients’ interactions with their doctors, ultimately influencing health outcomes. Around 60% of Black patients reported feeling the need to prepare for insults or to be very aware of their appearance to receive fair treatment from healthcare providers. This finding underscores the pervasive racial bias in the health care system, which extends beyond the boundaries of the clinical setting and into the everyday lives of people of color.

Discrimination in Health Care and Daily Life

Despite a high percentage of individuals preparing for potential insults, 93% said they have not felt unfairly treated or disrespected in a health care setting due to their race or ethnic background in the past three years. However, this figure hides wide discrepancies among racial groups. The survey revealed persistent discrimination in health care and daily life, with Hispanic, Black, Asian, and American Indian and Alaska Native adults experiencing higher rates of police mistreatment compared to White adults.

The Role of Shared Racial or Ethnic Background

The KFF survey also highlighted the positive impact of shared racial or ethnic backgrounds between patients and healthcare providers. Patients of color reported more respectful and positive interactions when their healthcare providers shared their racial or ethnic background. This suggests that diversifying the health care workforce could be a critical step towards improving health outcomes and reducing racial disparities in health care.

The Consequences of Discrimination

Discrimination extends beyond the immediate moment of the health care encounter and has profound health consequences. Almost 40% of Black adults who saw Black health providers reported discussing economic and social issues that could impact their health, compared to just 24% of Black adults who saw non-Black providers. The anxiety, loneliness, and depression associated with experiencing racism and discrimination can further deteriorate health and well-being. The survey found that Black and American Indian and Alaska Native adults face particularly high rates of discrimination, with over half of both groups reporting experiencing at least one type of discrimination a few times a year.

Conclusion

These findings from the KFF survey underscore the urgent need to address racism and discrimination within the health care system. As the survey indicates, the anticipation and experience of unequal treatment can significantly influence patient-provider interactions and health outcomes. Comprehensive strategies are needed to eliminate racial disparities in health care, including diversifying the health care workforce and creating a more inclusive and respectful environment for all patients.