May 18, 2023
The economic burden of health disparities in the U.S. “remains unacceptably high” and has been increasing in recent years, according to a new study released this week.
Officials said the study, published in JAMA and funded by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), was the first of its kind in the U.S. Researchers estimated the total economic burden of health disparities for five racial and ethnic minority groups in the U.S. and all 50 states.
“We have a clear call to action to address social and structural factors that negatively impact not only population health, but also economic growth,” said Eliseo J. Pérez-Stable, MD, NIMHD director.
Among the key takeaways:
Pennsylvania was in the middle of the pack for economic burden due to health disparities. The states with the highest burden in relation to their gross domestic product were Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, New Mexico, Nevada, and South Carolina. The states with the smallest burden were Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
The total burden of education-related health disparities was $978 billion, or $2,988 per person.
The study and a summary of its key findings are available online.
Pennsylvania’s hospitals are committed to ensuring everyone receives high-quality, equitable health care. HAP’s Racial Health Equity Learning Action Network (RHELAN) convenes Pennsylvania hospitals and health systems to work collaboratively to identify and confront systemic inequality and structural racism in health care. Learn more about this important effort.
Tags: Access to Care | Health disparities
Click on topic below for category-specific news articles.
Related Links
Support a healthier Pennsylvania.