Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Regional Anesthesia: A Brief Review

Disparities in regional anesthesia may limit patients' access to appropriate care. We reviewed literature from 2013 to 2023 regarding health disparities in regional anesthesia. While there were some exceptions, patients belonging to racial/ethnic minority groups and those with lower socioeconomic status did not receive regional anesthesia as frequently as their White or higher-income peers. As regional anesthesia continues to emerge as a preferred method of managing chronic pain conditions and providing surgical anesthesia, it is essential to ensure that it is provided equitably across the patient population.