Invited Commentary

Commentary on “Healthcare Access and Disparities in Chronic Medical Conditions in Urban Populations”

Authors: Gregory W. Rutecki, MD

Abstract

Health disparities can be defined as differences in rates of disease incidence, prevalence, morbidity, mortality, and/or survival in a particular population compared with the health status of the general population.1 A sizeable portion of these disparities resides within the category comprising chronic medical conditions (CMCs). These conditions run the gamut from high-volume primary care diagnoses, such as heart disease and diabetes, through subspecialty pathologies such as cancer and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. CMCs are the leading cause of death and disability in the United States and are responsible for the demise of 7 of every 10 people.2 Furthermore, they affect the quality of the lives of as many as 90 million Americans.2 From an economic perspective, CMCs also consume three-fourths of healthcare expenditures.2 Adding the costs for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, arthritis, and smoking-related complications leaves society with a price tag approximating $600 billion.2 It is sobering to observe that health disparities have been recognized as a problem for a considerable time, but for myriad reasons have resisted substantive melioration. What is the next step?

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References

1. Rashid JR, Spengler RF, Wagner RM, et al. Eliminating health disparities through transdisciplinary research, cross-agency collaboration, and public participation. Am J Public Health 2009; 99: 1955–1961.
 
2. Crook E, Peters M. Health disparities in chronic diseases: where the money is. Am J Med Sci 2008; 335: 266–270.
 
3. Hossain WA, Ehtesham MW, Salzman GA, et al. Healthcare access and disparities in chronic medical conditions in urban populations. South Med J 2013; 106: 246–254.
 
4. May B, Polite BN, Halpern MT, et al. American Society of Clinical Oncology policy statement: opportunities in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to reduce cancer care disparities. J Clin Oncol 2011; 29: 3816–3824.
 
5. Crook ED, Bryan NB, Hanks R, et al. A review of interventions to reduce health disparities in cardiovascular disease in African Americans. Ethn Dis 2009; 19: 204–208.