Racial/ethnic differences in poststroke rehabilitation utilization in the USA.
Longstanding racial/ethnic disparities exist in the USA in the areas of healthcare access, healthcare utilization and health-related outcomes of chronic health conditions, such as stroke. Regarding stroke specifically, significant racial/ethnic disparities in stroke incidence, severity and outcomes have been reported. Despite these differences, little attention has been given to potential racial/ethnic differences in the utilization of rehabilitation services for patients after stroke. To date, only a few studies have been specifically designed to examine racial/ethnic differences in rehabilitation service utilization. A review of these studies and related studies suggests that racial/ethnic differences may be present in the utilization of poststroke rehabilitation services. Consequently, new studies are needed to delineate how race/ethnicity influences utilization of poststroke rehabilitation services and to determine how a reduction in this disparity gap could improve stroke-related outcomes among racial/ethnic minorities in the USA.
Ellis
Charles
C
Charleston VA REAP, Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA. ellisc@musc.edu
Egede
Leonard E
LE
D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013070:Speech Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology