A new study conducted by the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai reveals that patients suffering a heart attack while infected with COVID-19 are three times more likely to die than heart attack patients without a COVID-19 infection.
The research was published in the journal Current Problems in Cardiology.
Racial Disparities Exposed in Heart Attack and COVID-19 Patients
The study also uncovered racial disparities, as Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Pacific Islander patients who had both COVID-19 and acute myocardial infarction (AMI)—the medical term for a heart attack—had worse outcomes than their white counterparts.
According to Dr. Martha Gulati, the study’s senior author, these patients received lower rates of treatment, indicating the need to address these disparities and improve access to care.
COVID-19 Sheds Light on Cardiovascular Care Disparities
The COVID-19 pandemic has illuminated the existing gaps in cardiovascular care based on race and ethnicity.
The research team asserts that addressing these disparities in health care needs to be a top priority, requiring a multifaceted approach from all stakeholders.
Interview with Dr. Martha Gulati: Addressing Healthcare Disparities
In an interview, Dr. Gulati identified four primary methods to address healthcare disparities: improving access; providing culturally sensitive care; addressing social determinants of health; and enacting policy changes.
Improving Access to High-Quality Healthcare
Dr. Gulati advocates for an increase in access to high-quality healthcare in underserved communities, suggesting the establishment of more medical offices in these areas, improving transportation to healthcare facilities, and enhancing telehealth capabilities.
Culturally Sensitive Care: A Must
Healthcare providers must be trained to offer culturally sensitive care, respect cultural differences, addressing language barriers, and combating biases and stereotypes.
Addressing Social Determinants of Health
Efforts should be made to address the social determinants of health that contribute to healthcare disparities.
This includes initiatives to reduce poverty, improve education, and provide safe and secure housing.
The Role of Policy Changes
Dr. Gulati recommends implementing policy changes to reduce systemic bias and racism in the healthcare system.
This could involve changes in how care is funded, including assessing measures of quality, rewarding quality care, and better understanding how resources are allocated.
Further Work and Research
The study, while revealing, is just one piece of the puzzle. Future work and research are necessary to address healthcare disparities, especially in light of a global pandemic.
Addressing these disparities requires a collaborative effort from all stakeholders, including policymakers, healthcare providers, and the broader community.
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The study was published in Current Problems in Cardiology.
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