Health Disparities

Health disparities have the largest impact on the access, quality of care and outcomes overall in many patient populations defined by factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, education level, income, disability, geographic location. Many other factors also play a role, including if a patient is in a rural of urban location, distances to hospitals, pharmacies and clinics. These factors of inequitable access or healthcare are often directly related to the historical and ongoing unequal distribution of social, political, economic, and environmental resources. This page includes content defining health disparities and efforts to address them.
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On the frontline of the epidemic of peripheral artery disease (PAD) and related 400 leg amputations per day in the U.S., Kumar Madassery, MD, director of peripheral vascular intervention and critical limb ischemia (CLI) program at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, explains there is a glaring health inequities in rural and low income areas of the country.

Peripheral artery disease is out of control in many rural, low income communities

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) leads to more than 400 leg amputations per day in the U.S. Kumar Madassery, MD, discussed the importance of increasing awareness and reaching patients before it is too late. 

Malissa Wood, MD. explains why Mass General created a program to combat racism and health equity.

Why health equity is important in cardiology

Malissa Wood, MD, associate chief of cardiology for diversity and equity at Massachusetts General Hospital, explains the role of health equity in cardiovascular care and what her health system is doing to address it. 

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Why women with peripheral artery disease are underdiagnosed, have worse outcomes

Using the World Health Organization’s model for analyzing gender-related healthcare needs, the authors of a new analysis aimed to explore disparities in PAD outcomes.

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Cardiologists warn Biden administration that new policies could put PAD patients at risk

SCAI and the Association of Black Cardiologists have joined forces to share a simple message: PAD patients would be negatively impacted by new CMS proposals. 

Incoming 2023-2024 American College of Cardiology (ACC) president Hadley Wilson, MD, shares insights on how to create health equity through both ACC programs and hospital grassroots community outreach programs. He outlines four programs his heart hospital is piloting in its community in Charlotte, North Carolina.

How cardiologists can address health disparities in their communities

Incoming 2023-2024 American College of Cardiology president Hadley Wilson, MD, shared insights on how to create health equity through grassroots community outreach programs.

AHA President Michelle Albert explains what can be done to boost healthcare equity and diversity in cardiology.

AHA President Michelle Albert on addressing health equity issues in cardiology

American Heart Association President Michelle Albert, MD, talked to us about about how to address health inequities in cardiology departments.

The 120,000-square-foot advanced outpatient care center on the 4800 block of South Cottage Grove Avenue is expected to serve more than 50,000 patients annually from Bronzeville and nearby communities. Northwestern also wants to try and staff the majority of the clinic with clinicians who are Black to better reflect the community they will be serving. Construction could begin in summer 2023, with a scheduled opening in summer of 2025.

VIDEO: Northwestern plans to open Chicago South Side clinic to address healthcare access

Northwestern's Clyde Yancy, MD, discusses how his health system is addressing health access equity issues with plans to open a new outpatient clinic on the historically Black Chicago South Side.

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Cardiologists push for a more diverse, inclusive healthcare workforce

A recent roundtable discussion focused on how today's healthcare leaders can "begin to dismantle the systems that perpetuate inequities in medicine and build new systems that promote diversity, equity and inclusive excellence."

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