Health disparities and social determinants of health among African-American women undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI).

Abstract

This review of minority health describes the existing health disparities, the barriers to healthcare access and utilization, the role of three social determinants of health [i.e., (1) socioeconomic status, (2) education, and (3) stress and/or depression], the existing public-policies; and a health literacy strategy addressing social determinants of health to reduce disparities and improve outcomes in African-American women undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI). Insurance, geography, facility-types, physician referral-bias, and cultural-differences pose as potential significant barriers to healthcare access and utilization. Likewise, lower socioeconomic-status, lack of education, and higher stress and/or depression is associated with adverse health-outcomes for this population. Although the elimination of health disparities is a national priority, comprehensive educational approaches focusing on cross-cultural communication, language barriers, cultural-sensitivity, and cultural-competence are needed.