OPINIONDisparities in treatment: Closing the health care gapAn Institute of Medicine report prompts new urgency in addressing racial and ethnic disparities in health care.Editorial. July 8/15, 2002. The recent report by the Institute of Medicine demonstrating that racial and ethnic minorities in the United States tend to receive a lower quality of health care than nonminority patients serves as a loud alarm, not only to the medical profession, but also to everyone with any connection to our health care system. This is not the first study showing that the United States has a multitiered health care system, but the prestige of the Institute of Medicine -- its panel was chaired by former American Medical Association President Alan R. Nelson, MD -- provides the current report with undeniable creditability. The report suggests myriad factors are involved in creating the disparities, but it concludes that even when access-related factors, such as patients' income or insurance status, are controlled, the care received by racial and ethnic minorities does not match that provided to other population groups. Dr. Nelson pointed out that "bias, stereotyping, prejudice and clinical uncertainty on the part of health care providers may contribute to racial and ethnic disparities in health care. ... [A] greater understanding of the prevalence and influence of these processes is needed and should be sought through research." The United States is widely perceived as the world's leader in health care and medical education. But the technological advances and sophisticated care available to some individuals lose a good deal of their luster when major segments of our society receive lower levels of care. The IOM panel's recommendations are largely in line with previously stated policies of the AMA.
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Copyright 2002 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
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