Let’s Discuss Health Disparities.

“Diversity is going to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance.”

Numerous studies have documented the relatively poor health and health outcomes of African Americans have, reflecting a long history of economic deprivation and barriers to health care;

  • 2 out of 4 people of color face challenges with accessing the right doctor and fall behind on conveniently managing their healthcare.
  • 55% of people color of have trouble finding information on their health condition.
  • 57% of people of color reported a poor experience with physicians and suffer with compromised health outcomes.

Let’s start by discussing patient Attitudes and Experiences : Our research indicates that People of Color “(POC) (57%) were similar to Whites (58%) in agreeing that their doctor understands their background and values, Black people (14%) were more likely than Whites (9%) to think their doctor looks down on them. Further, POC (16%) were almost twice as likely as Whites (9%) to report treatment with disrespect during a recent health care visit. The higher rate of negative health care experiences likely contributes to the belief by many POC (15%)” that they would have received better care if they were connected with the doctor who they can relate to.  

 It Is Important To Evaluate Patient/Physician Interaction with Black people: People of color are about equally likely as other adults from any other race, to have at least some contact with the medical care system based on reports of any visit in the past two years. Yet and still minorities are more likely to leave the doctor’s office with unasked questions, disregard, or without understanding any information provided. Among those with a visit in the past two years, 33 percent minorities compared with 10 percent of whites report one or more measures of poor communication with their physician including unanswered questions, receiving confusing information and overall neglect while waiting to be treated.    

Why Does This Matter: “Survey findings highlight continuing areas of concern. Even among African Americans who are working, high poverty rates and high insurance rates continue to erode their basic access to care.”  

Are you seeing your doctor regularly? :28% of people of color.adults say they have no regular doctor, compared with 19 percent of whites.Lack of access to a regular doctor greatly undermines quality of care. People of color  without a regular doctor are less likely to receive preventive services, proper such as physical exams, health knowledge and are less confident in and satisfied with their care, and are more likely to report communication problems. OurHealth, LLC Physician Search App and technology will equip patient with the resources that will provide them with a better path to healthcare while gaining access to the right doctor and being knowledgeable about concerning healthcare conditions. Therefore, having a doctor familiar with your health concerns is a key to obtaining quality care.

The patient and provider relationship must be sustained with trust, transparency and understanding. Full disclosed should always be transmitted both ways between physician and patient without it the patient is at risk for being misdiagnosed and or mistreated or even prescribed the wrong medication. Therefore it is important that you take the time to conduct proper research on the person that will care for you next.

Be familiar with their practices and their ability to connect to you as a person. Your health is important  and the foundation of your well being. Without proper health maintenance you place yourself at risk for a shorter and limited life. Cultural sensitivity  training is becoming a growing trend in healthcare as medical disparity continues to grow. It is vital that physicians develop a level of respect, understanding and sensitivity when treating a population of people they are otherwise possible unfamiliar with.    

“Despite these promising rates of preventive care”, health outcomes remain worse for people of color  compared with white adults.Accounting for these disparities will require evaluation of other areas and quality in the health care system, such as connecting with a doctor that is skilled in cultural diversity and sensitive training and a physician is familiar with the health concerns of the people of color.   Take charge of your health and see the right doctor for you! OurHealth, OurWay.


Visit: https://ourhealthllc.wixsite.com/ourwayto learn more about how you can find the right doctor for you.

Works cited: The Common Wealth Fund April 2014, Pub #452



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