Despite numerous advancements in medical science and healthcare delivery, significant disparities persist for Black Americans.

According to the 2023 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report, significant advancements in medicine have been made. Unfortunately, Black Americans don’t appear to be benefitting from them. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, an official organization within the US Department of Health and Human Services, has been compiling and releasing the results of a National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report (NHQDR) since 2018. The report provides a detailed analysis of healthcare quality and disparities across various demographics in the United States. Their most recent report, published in 2023, notes that, despite numerous advancements in medical science and healthcare delivery, significant disparities persist for Black Americans. While this reality is hardly news to our organization, we’re saddened to discover that more ground hasn’t been gained and that our community continues to suffer disproportionately.

Black Americans’ Life Expectancy is 5.6 Years Shorter Than White Americans

The healthcare disparities facing our community are stark and real. Chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer affect Black Americans at higher rates compared to their white counterparts. Tragically, many of these chronic conditions are preventable when managed correctly. As a result, Black Americans have the nation's second-lowest life expectancy, with non-Hispanic Black individuals living an average of 70.8 years, compared to 76.4 years for non-Hispanic white individuals. (At 65.2 years, only American Indian or Alaska Native persons had a lower life expectancy.) The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated existing health disparities, with Black Americans experiencing higher rates of infection, hospitalization, and mortality compared to other racial and ethnic groups. In short, the disparities that affect us are widening, not narrowing, over time.

Disparities Persist Because They’re Embedded in the Healthcare System

The report attributes healthcare disparities experienced in communities of color to the following five factors:

1. Socioeconomic Inequities: Black Americans are more likely to live in poverty, have lower levels of education, and experience unemployment, all of which negatively impact access to quality healthcare.
2. Access to Healthcare: Many Black Americans live in medically underserved areas, or “medical deserts,” where healthcare providers and facilities are in short supply. Where you live is immaterial; medical deserts are just as common in urban areas as they are in rural communities.
3. Insurance Coverage: Black Americans are less likely to have health insurance compared to white Americans. The report indicates that states with higher proportions of Black residents often have lower overall rates of health insurance coverage. This is compounded by high unemployment rates, lower wages, and hourly jobs that typically don’t offer insurance to “temporary” workers, even if they’ve been employed by the company for years.
4. Healthcare System Bias: Implicit biases within the healthcare system can lead to differences in the quality of care Black patients receive. These biases can affect diagnosis, treatment options, and patient-provider interactions, often resulting in suboptimal care. The lack of Black representation within the healthcare community means that conditions we are predisposed to often aren’t proactively managed, making it difficult and more time-consuming to get back to health once diagnosed.

Social Determinants of Health: Factors such as housing, education, and neighborhood conditions significantly influence health outcomes. Black Americans are more likely to live in environments that pose greater health risks and have fewer resources to support healthy lifestyles. This encompasses everything from poor-quality drinking water to fewer grocery stores offering fresh produce and whole foods to a higher density of low-cost fast-food restaurants in predominantly Black neighbourhoods.

The Remedies Are Clear But Complex to Execute.

After relaying Black Americans' unfortunate healthcare realities, the 2023 NHQDR offered several recommendations. Unfortunately, many of them are challenging to implement due to high interdependencies and no clear line of ownership by any one organization or government department. Without significant changes, it's difficult to see a clear path toward progress for any of these measures.

1. Improve Access to Care: Increase the availability of healthcare providers and facilities in underserved areas. Expanding telehealth services can also help bridge the gap in access, especially in rural and underserved urban areas.
2. Enhance Insurance Coverage: Increase efforts to expand health insurance coverage, particularly in states with large Black populations. Expanding Medicaid could significantly improve access to healthcare services for low-income individuals.
3. Address Socioeconomic Factors: Implement policies that address the broader social determinants of health, such as improving education, housing, and economic opportunities for Black Americans.
4. Reduce Implicit Bias: Train healthcare providers to recognize and mitigate implicit biases. This can help ensure Black patients receive equitable care and improve patient-provider relationships.
5. Community Engagement and Education: Engage with Black communities to provide education about preventive care, healthy lifestyles, and the importance of regular medical checkups. Community-based programs can be effective in promoting health and wellness.

Research and Data Collection: Continue to collect and analyze healthcare disparities data to identify improvement areas and track the progress of interventions to reduce these disparities.

3 Ways Black Barbershop Outreach Program is Working to Bridge the Gap

The Black Barbershop Outreach Program’s mission is to bring together the largest network of healthcare providers from communities of color to address disparities in healthcare for Black Americans and provide access to the high-quality care they need and deserve.

1. We Bring Education and Healthcare to Trusted Community Spaces: Our program brings healthcare professionals into Black barbershops and hair salons to provide blood pressure screenings, diabetes testing, and other preventive health services. Barbers and hair stylists—trusted community figures—are trained to discuss health topics with their clients, encouraging them to take proactive steps in managing their health.
2. We Offer Access to Care Anywhere Through Telehealth and Mobile Apps: As the report suggests, technology is a powerful way to bring high-quality healthcare to those who need it. We leverage advancements in artificial intelligence and other technology platforms to deliver high-quality healthcare through digital devices. Our Black Barbershop Wellness app, for example, lets you monitor your vitals from your mobile device, and our AI assistant, Amina, can secure prediagnosis and see if you need to secure help immediately. For non-emergencies, our telehealth platform provides the convenience of booking a consultation with a Black Physician who understands your needs, concerns, and barriers without cultural bias, ensuring you feel comfortable. 
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3. We Offer Affordable Healthcare to the Uninsured: Health insurance alone does not guarantee equity in healthcare. Using our platforms can remove one of the largest and most well-documented barriers to securing healthcare. Our digital-first delivery means we can provide high-quality care for a fraction of the cost.

By offering education in trusted spaces and increased access to high-quality, affordable healthcare, we hope to help more Black Americans better manage their long-term health and improve their quality of life and overall life span. We consider this our life assignment and are determined to deliver better outcomes for as many Black Americans as possible.