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Evidence shows racial and ethnic disparities exist across a range of illnesses and health care services.
Studies addressing these issues report that racial and ethnic disparities persist even when demographic factors, such as socioeconomic status, level of insurance, and comorbidity conditions are controlled.
The 2002 Institute of Medicine report, "Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care," states that while there is substantial data with respect to racial and ethnic disparities pertaining to many health services, there is insufficient data with respect to racial and ethnic disparities in access to, utilization of, or outcomes from physical therapist services.
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Health is affected by far more than the presence or absence of health care. PTs and PTAs can help improve the health of populations by using a wide array of strategies.
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There's a growing role for PTs and PTAs in addressing preventable illness.
Additional Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities Content
Jan 5, 2021 / Review
A global study of disease burden finds a glaring need for rehab in primary care.
Apr 24, 2020 / Article
APTA hosted experts in physical therapy and public health to discuss the impact COVID-19 has had on the United States, including how the pandemic interacts with existing geographic, economic, racial, and age-related health disparities. Speakers explored the roles the physical therapy community can play in mitigating not only COVID-19, but health disparities in general.
Apr 22, 2020 / Perspective
There are things we, as individuals and as health care providers, can do to get off the hamster wheel of health disparities.
Jun 5, 2019 / Perspective
Our research showed the community was unaware of physical therapy and its role in prevention, beyond catastrophic care.
Mar 13, 2019 / Perspective
Either we will change how we function as a society or we will face a growing decline in the health and well-being of Americans.
Oct 10, 2018 / Interview
Here's how PTs and PTAs can incorporate social determinants of health into their care.
Jun 1, 2018 / Column
Initiatives are ongoing to improve access to physical therapist services.
May 15, 2018 / Perspective
We need to see the need, address it with creativity, and attack challenges without fear of failure.
Apr 17, 2018 / Perspective
One opportunity to transform society by optimizing movement is increasing physical activity participation.
Nov 27, 2017 / News
Among patients aged 65 and older, white Americans were 1.38 times more likely than black Americans to use any type of rehabilitation services, while more black patients had low functional mobility, say authors of a study e-published November 8 in JAGS.