Reversing Racial Inequities at the End of Life: A Call for Health Systems to Create Culturally Competent Advance Care Planning Programs Within African American Communities

Abstract

Racial and cultural barriers inherent in health systems have made the delivery of culturally relevant end of life care that aligns with patient preferences a particular challenge across African American patient populations. The end of life experience has been cited as a public health crisis by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), and this crisis is one felt even more acutely by patients of this minority race. Structural racism has limited access to the planning mechanisms proven to result in quality end of life care; thus, health systems must initiate remedies in the face of dire need, as African Americans face a disproportionate burden of morbidity and mortality from many serious illnesses. Recognizing that education is essential to overcoming barriers to quality care access, the development of new and culturally appropriate models of community engagement surrounding advance care planning is needed to serve and empower African American patients.

Keywords: Advance care planning; African American; Community engagement; Cultural competence; End of life; Racial barriers.