Addressing Health Disparities in the Black Community

Factors and Solutions for Promoting Health Equity

Health disparities in the Black community are a complex and longstanding issue requiring immediate attention and action. In the United States, Black Americans experience significant differences in health outcomes compared to the general population. For example, research has shown Black women are more than double times more like to die from maternal mortality than their counterparts (Bond et al., 2021). 

Further, research has shown that health disparities experienced by the Black community can result from lacking a diverse workforce to differences in the quality of care delivered (Gollust et al., 2018). Therefore, despite the many challenges, as healthcare providers, we have an obligation to patients to address these disparities to achieve health equity. Thus, today we will explore the factors contributing to health disparities in the Black community and potential solutions for addressing them.

Factors Contributing to Health Disparities in the Black Community

It should go without saying that multiple factors contribute to health disparities in the Black community. The first one is social determinants of health, such as poverty, inadequate housing, lack of access to healthy food options, and limited education. In addition, as Black Americans are more likely than their counterparts to live in high-poverty neighborhoods, there is an increased risk that they will experience chronic health conditions (Firebaugh & Acciai, 2016). Therefore poverty and other social determinants of health can contribute to significant disparities in the Black community. 

In addition, due to structural racism, specific policies and practices in society may contribute to perpetuating racism and discrimination in healthcare. A painful illustration of the impact of structural racism was during the COVID-19 pandemic when Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) experienced higher rates of hospitalization and death than their White counterparts (Yearby, Clark & Figueroa, 2022). Thus, structural racism is a serious issue that threatens the health outcomes of the BIPOC community. 

Lastly, inadequate access to preventative care and treatment is a significant issue for Black Americans. Research has shown that Black Americans in states that have not expanded Medicaid are likelier than their counterparts to be uninsured or underinsured (Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, 2022). As we know, inadequate access to healthcare can lead to more severe health outcomes and increased healthcare costs.

Solutions for Addressing Health Disparities in the Black Community

Due to the challenges experienced by the Black community, it is essential to implement solutions that address the root causes of these disparities. The first step is increasing access to healthcare. Then, as healthcare providers, we can advocate for changes that we know would impact our communities—for instance, expanding Medicaid or incentivizing healthcare providers to work in underserved areas. Whatever it may be, advocacy is a critical step in making impactful change. 

Another important step is addressing social determinants of health. For example, a health organization can address poverty by connecting patients to community resources. Alternatively, a health institution may partner with a farmer's market to improve access to healthy food. While these are just two examples, there are many ways in which healthcare providers can address social determinants of health amongst their Black patients. 

Last but certainly not least, it is essential to address structural racism. Even though this might seem like a big task, there are tangible things that healthcare providers can do. For example, healthcare providers can actively recruit and promote individuals from diverse backgrounds to leadership positions in their organizations. In addition, healthcare providers can implement anti-racism training programs for their staff to help them recognize and address unconscious biases and structural racism within the organization. By doing so, healthcare providers create a more inclusive environment where patients feel valued and respected. 

The Path to Health Equity

Health disparities in the Black community are a complex and longstanding issue requiring a multifaceted approach. By addressing social determinants of health, structural racism, and inadequate access to healthcare, we can create a more equitable healthcare system for Black Americans. Therefore, continuing the conversation and working towards solutions that promote health equity for all is essential.

Sources

Bond, R.M., Gaither, K., Nasser, S.A., Albert, M., Ferdinand, K.C., Njoroge, J.N., Parapid, B., Hayes, S.N., Pegus, C., Sogade, B., Grodzinsky, A., Watson, K.E., McCullough, C.A., & Ofili, E. (2021). Working Agenda for Black Mothers: A Position Paper From the Association of Black Cardiologists on Solutions to Improving Black Maternal Health. Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes. 14. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.120.007643

Firebaugh, G., & Acciai, F. (2016). For blacks in America, the gap in neighborhood poverty has declined faster than segregation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 113(47), 13372-13377. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1607220113

Gollust, S. E., Cunningham, B. A., Bokhour, B. G., Gordon, H. S., Pope, C., Saha, S. S., Jones, D. M., Do, T., & Burgess, D. J. (2018). What causes racial health care disparities? A mixed-methods study reveals variability in how health care providers perceive causal attributions. Inquiry: A journal of medical care organization, provision, and financing, 55, 46958018762840. https://doi.org/10.1177/0046958018762840

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Health Insurance Coverage and Access to Care Among Black Americans: Recent Trends and Key Challenges (Issue Brief No. HP-2022-07). February 2022.

Yearby, R., Clark, B., & Figueroa, J.F. (2022). Structural racism in historical and modern US health care policy. Health Equity, 41(2), 187-194. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2021.01466