Minority Populations and the Use of Palliative Care

Abstract

Empirical data show benefits to palliative care (PC) early across the disease trajectory. In the United States, compelling racial inequities exist in access to PC services for minority populations. Minorities who are diagnosed with advanced disease later than nonminorities report adversity accessing treatment availabilities. Thus, poverty, racial discrimination, insurance coverage, and education barriers can affect a person's access to PC assistance. These barriers ultimately result in delayed diagnosis and overall poorer health outcomes. Social and health care inequalities are broad among the sphere of the vulnerable and marginalized minority populations accessing PC.

Keywords: Culture; Health disparities; Minority populations; Palliative care; Patient education; Spirituality.