Race and gender disparity in healthcare delivery pose significant challenges to the U.S healthcare system. Racial disparities coupled with lower socioeconomic levels affect the access and quality of care. In America, racial and ethnic minorities collectively receive lower-quality of care than white people. Women are undervalued compared to men, influencing distinct health initiatives based on gender. Gender disparity is often institutionalized through social norms, law, and justice disadvantaging women’s health status, wellbeing, and access to medical resources. The disparity in health care is broad, including medical insurance, access to care, mortality, life expectancy, and quality of healthcare services. Therefore the minority racial and gender groups suffer the highest death rates, lesser financial incentives for healthy living, long-wait times for medical procedures, and low access to healthcare facilities. Health disparities are common in the U.S in many forms, including higher rates of chronic disease and premature delivery of pregnant mothers.
Black women are most affected by race and gender disparity in healthcare among all demographics. Compared to white men and women, they are often dismissed, undervalued, and three to four times more likely to experience death. For instance, black women suffer significantly higher maternal deaths than white women (American Heart Association, 2019). The disparity is attributable to black women’s low social and economic values. To reduce discrimination in health and social care, medical practitioners should respect the diversity essential for person-centered care. Hospitals should establish policies and regulations that ensure all health workers perform their duties in a non-judgmental way. The government should support medical insurance covers for minority groups through incentives and policies. Alternatively, health professionals can adopt the 6Cs in care, including compassion, competency, communication, courage, commitment, and care.
Reference
American Heart Association News. (2021). Health disparities – even in the face of socioeconomic success – baffle experts.