Racial disparities in urologic health care

J Natl Med Assoc. 2010 Feb;102(2):108-17. doi: 10.1016/s0027-9684(15)30498-3.

Abstract

In the United States, disparities in health care delivery and access are apparent between different racial and ethnic groups. Minorities, including African Americans, often suffer disproportionately from disease compared to Caucasians. In the urologic arena, this is apparent in urologic cancer screening, treatment choices, and survival, as well as in the arena of chronic kidney disease, transplant allocation, and transplant outcomes. Latino men also seem to be affected more often by erectile dysfunction than Caucasian counterparts. Disparities such as these have been identified as a problem in the delivery of health care in the United States, and resources have been allocated to help allay the disparity. Through organizations such as the Cleveland Clinic Minority Men's Health Center, policy initiatives, and increased cultural awareness by physicians, steps can be made to reduce and eliminate health care disparities.

MeSH terms

  • Black or African American / genetics
  • Black or African American / statistics & numerical data*
  • Cultural Competency
  • Erectile Dysfunction / ethnology
  • Erectile Dysfunction / therapy
  • Healthcare Disparities / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Kidney Transplantation / ethnology
  • Life Expectancy
  • Male
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / ethnology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Testicular Neoplasms / ethnology
  • United States
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / ethnology
  • Urogenital Neoplasms / ethnology*