Four studies presented during the 64th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition uncover significant disparities in medical care and health outcomes among patients of different racial backgrounds, nationalities, and socioeconomic status across a range of blood disorders. The new findings underscore the importance of acting intentionally to close gaps in the health care system and ensure care is delivered equitably.
“This work reinforces that many health outcomes are attached to the history of our nation and the social constructs that we deal with in the world,” said press briefing moderator Chancellor Donald, MD, of Tulane University School of Medicine. “We consistently find that there’s work to be done, and researchers should continue not only to assess whether disparities exist, but to find opportunities to correct any disparities that they find.”
Dr. Donald added that proactively working to address disparities can go a long way toward achieving better outcomes even without new tests or therapies. For instance, one study found stark differences in the types of therapies used to treat pulmonary embolism in different groups along with disparities in associated death rates, suggesting an opportunity for clinicians to employ existing tools more effectively across all groups.
A second study focuses on the importance of diverse representation in clinical trials. The third and fourth studies highlight inequities in the delivery of stem cell transplants in the United States and globally, pointing to opportunities to improve access to this potentially curative treatment.
