Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Pain: Causes and Consequences of Unequal Care
Karen O. Anderson, PhD, MPH
Department of Symptom Research
The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas
A review of the recent literature suggests that racial and ethnic disparities in pain assessment, analgesic treatment, and patient outcomes continue to exist across various acute and chronic pain conditions. Minorities consistently receive lesser quality care and are more at risk for adverse outcomes. These disparities result from a myriad of issues related to patients and their clinicians, as well as institutional policies within the healthcare system. Patient-related variables include genetic factors, patient beliefs, and coping strategies, for example. Inadequate education of healthcare providers, limited access to health care facilities for minorities, and insurance issues also contribute to disparities. Critically, research that controls for the range of other socioeconomic variables is needed both to measure ethnicity- and race-related barriers and to develop culturally and linguistically appropriate interventions.
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Ezenwa MO, Ameringer S, Ward SE, Serlin RC. Racial and ethnic disparities in pain management in the United States. J Nurs Scholarsh. 2006;38(3):225-233.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Pain: Causes and Consequences of Unequal Care
Karen O. Anderson, PhD, MPH
Department of Symptom Research
The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas
A review of the recent literature suggests that racial and ethnic disparities in pain assessment, analgesic treatment, and patient outcomes continue to exist across various acute and chronic pain conditions. Minorities consistently receive lesser quality care and are more at risk for adverse outcomes. These disparities result from a myriad of issues related to patients and their clinicians, as well as institutional policies within the healthcare system. Patient-related variables include genetic factors, patient beliefs, and coping strategies, for example. Inadequate education of healthcare providers, limited access to health care facilities for minorities, and insurance issues also contribute to disparities. Critically, research that controls for the range of other socioeconomic variables is needed both to measure ethnicity- and race-related barriers and to develop culturally and linguistically appropriate interventions.
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