People of color often expect to experience discrimination during health care visits, survey finds

CNN
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Going to the hospital can be stressful, but many people of color in the United States say they also expect to face discrimination when seeking medical care, according to a report. KFF Survey Published Tuesday on racism, discrimination and health.

60 percent of black adults. About half of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Hispanic adults. Additionally, 42% of Asian adults surveyed said they prepare for medical visits by expecting insults from health care workers, or at least sometimes paying close attention to their appearance. .

The survey also found that many people of color reported that health care providers blamed them for medical problems, ignored their questions, and refused to prescribe pain medication.

“This study really shows how deeply entrenched racism and discrimination is in the United States, not just in everyday life but also in people's medical experiences,” said KFF's Racial Equity and Health Policy Director. director Samantha Artiga told CNN.

In addition to mistreatment at the doctor's office, the survey found that at least half of American Indian, Alaska Native, Black, and Hispanic adults said they had experienced at least one type of discrimination in their daily lives at least several times in the past year. It turned out that he answered. About 4 in 10 Asian adults reported the same.

“These include receiving poor service at a restaurant or store, people acting as if they are afraid of them or acting like they are not smart, being threatened or harassed, or speaking a language other than English. This includes the experience of being criticized for speaking out,” Artiga says. He said.

The initial report on the KFF survey notes that gender also comes into play, with black men the most likely to say people are afraid of them, and Hispanic women the most likely to say people are afraid of them. They are most likely to say they are treated as if they don't exist.

Artiga told CNN there is a direct correlation between discrimination and health and well-being. “People who report experiencing discrimination in their daily lives are more likely to feel anxious, lonely, and depressed than those who don't,” she says.

“As a result of historical and ongoing policies, often rooted in discriminatory practices, there are clear disparities in access to resources, opportunities, and power by race and ethnicity in the United States,” the KFF report said. Pointed out. , economic and educational opportunities, and health care. ”

KFF, a health policy nonprofit formerly known as the Kaiser Family Foundation, says it will release more reports on the data in the future.

“Addressing these disparities we see in medical care and health care experiences is not only important from a social justice perspective, but will ultimately improve our overall health and well-being as a nation in the future. “It's important for us,” Artiga said.