Healthcare is a fundamental human right and is recognized as such by various global governments and even the United Nations. Across the globe, physicians are morally called upon to provide adequate care to every patient, regardless of race, gender, or social class. Unfortunately, despite the inherent ethical responsibilities of healthcare providers, health disparities are rampant.
It’s no secret that the modern healthcare system was essentially built on the backbone of inequality, and the trend persists to this day. There’s plenty of evidence to suggest that marginalized populations experience a lower quality of healthcare than nonminorities. Further, minority populations are also less likely to receive routine care and/or take preventative measures to protect their health.
Without routine care and preventative screenings, minority populations are at high risk of developing serious health conditions. According to Hawai‘i Pacific University, for example, Native Hawaiians are one of the most underserved populations in the U.S. They’re also one of the least healthy: Compared to whites, Hawaiian populations are four times more likely to suffer a stroke and have an 80% higher obesity rate.
When it comes to reducing some of the inherent disparities within the healthcare industry, physicians are on the front lines of a complex landscape. Rather than simply accepting that health disparities exist, do healthcare providers have an ethical responsibility to address those issues? Physicians are only people, after all, and they have to make a living. Further, the system itself may be flawed, such as in rural areas with minimal funding, giving some providers little opportunity to make a difference.
Let’s take a look at the various considerations involved in addressing health disparities, and the responsibility of physicians to uphold ethical standards of care.
Health Disparities Come in Many Forms
Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders aren’t alone in terms of health disparities: Data indicates that certain ethnic and racial minorities are more likely to be uninsured than others. According to a February 2021 Office of Health Policy report, most minority groups have “persistently higher rates of uninsurance” than white, non-Hispanic individuals. American Indians and Alaska Natives are the most likely to be uninsured among ethnic groups, with a rate of 28%.
Race and ethnicity are far from the only consideration in terms of healthcare coverage, however. It should come as little surprise that the aforementioned study also found a direct link between insurance coverage rates and household income. US families making less than $50,000 annually are the country’s least insured, with a full 36% eschewing healthcare coverage altogether, simply because they can’t afford it.
Therein lies the true crux of the issue: The affordability of healthcare. For citizens in Finland, the United Kingdom, and other nations with a universal healthcare standard, the idea that some people go without necessary medical care may seem ridiculous, even dangerous. Yet for many global citizens, including the 43.4% of US adults ages 19 to 64 who are inadequately insured, even routine healthcare can be prohibitively expensive.
Affordability, Ethics, and the Healthcare Industry
Even if you have little to no medical background, you’ve likely heard of the Hippocratic oath. Long a rite of passage for medical school graduates, the Hippocratic oath dates back to ancient Greece. Graduating physicians in Pakistan still recite the traditional oath, while countries such as the UK and US utilize updated versions.
Whatever its form, the purpose of the Hippocratic oath is to hold medical professionals accountable, as he or she swears to uphold specific ethical standards. As oaths are individual pledges, however, there’s not exactly a universal standard that measures whether or not a physician upholds their end of the bargain.
Further, just because a physician promises to “do no harm,” what happens if a patient can’t pay for their treatment? Is turning someone away who needs healthcare, simply because they can’t afford it, indicative of a weak moral compass on the part of the physician? Not necessarily, and the moral problem of health disparities is complex, involving accessibility, cost, and other social barriers that may be systemic in nature.
The Importance of Preventative Healthcare
There are small steps that patients and healthcare providers alike can take to address systemic issues involving race, income, and healthcare access, starting with preventative maintenance. It may sound trivial on the surface, but preventative health is a crucial component of one’s overall wellness. For starters, individuals who take care of themselves may experience fewer health issues as they age. Providers can do their part to help address health disparities among minorities, by educating patients on the importance of preventative healthcare.
By cultivating healthy habits at a young age, like regular exercise and eating a well-balanced diet, you may experience long-term health benefits. Good preventative health habits can serve to lower your blood pressure, improve bone and joint health, and increase your life expectancy. The best part? Even people on a budget can take charge of their personal health, with minimal effort.
Every citizen on Earth deserves to be healthy. Unfortunately, that’s not the reality, and healthcare remains inaccessible for disadvantaged populations around the world. Physicians may feel swayed by ethical responsibility and should take the necessary steps to help make healthcare accessible to all patients, everywhere.