higher education , high school graduation , and language and literacy . The National Center for Education Statistics has reported that almost twice the number of Black people , compared with the total US population , have completed less than a high school degree . Black people have received a Bachelor ’ s degree or higher at just half the rate of white people .
Dr . Krigger then examined the Kentucky Minority Health Status Report produced by The Cabinet for Health and Family Services in 2017 . This looked at factors such as poverty , unemployment , home ownership , obesity prevalence , life expectancy , infant mortality rates and disease . In nearly every category , Black people and people of color scored worse than white people . Dr . Krigger attributes this to a variety of conditions including lack of access to primary care , health literacy , access to healthy foods , and crime and violence . Similar results were found in the Louisville Health Equity Report developed by the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness in 2017 . The life expectancy of Black Louisvillians is more than 10 years shorter than that of whites .
RESULTS OF RACIAL INEQUITY ON HEALTH CARE OUTCOMES
Finally , Dr . Krigger discussed the health results of all these injustices . First , she says , we must improve laws and policies that shape community conditions . This includes breaking down social and institutional inequalities such as racism , classism , ableism and sexism . Next , we must address individuals ’ social needs : improving living conditions such as housing , transportation and access to good jobs and education . Finally , we must address the outcomes as a result of these conditions . These include poor nutrition , chronic disease , infant mortality and shorter life expectancies .
Looking at the COVID-19 pandemic , Black and Latinx people in the US have been three times more likely to contract the disease
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION than white people and are nearly twice as likely to die from it ; this
is due to a variety of factors . A greater number of Black and Latinx workers are unable to work from home compared to white workers . To get to work , these essential workers must often travel using crowded public transportation , thus increasing their risk of exposure .
Dr . Krigger then introduced one final definition that physicians must remember in their daily practices .
Implicit Bias : Bias that results from the tendency to process information on unconscious associations and feelings , even when these are contrary to one ’ s conscious or declared beliefs .
She urged everyone to take the Harvard Implicit Bias Test . This test will allow you to understand what feelings you might have that you don ’ t realize , but that are impacting a patient ’ s care . For example , she says that everyone should be referring to patients with a title ( Mr ., Ms ., Mrs ., etc .) as a sign of respect , especially if the staff member is younger than the patient . By not using titles , this example of implicit bias toward age is one that might be overseen but is important to the patient ’ s overall feeling of respect and trust in the health care setting .
In closing , Dr . Krigger said that it is of utmost importance that we take these tools into our daily practices and must be cognizant of the effect on patients ’ lives . “ Until we recognize and address these conditions ,” she said , “ Our health care systems will continue to be the most expensive with the poorest outcomes of the developed nations .”
The next seminar in this series will take place on Thursday , Feb . 11 at 6:00 p . m . with presentation by Dr . Stephanie White . To register , please visit glms . org / register .
Kathryn Vance is the Communication Specialist at the Greater Louisville Medical Society .
FEBRUARY 2021 17