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Review
. 2023 Jun 8:1-14.
doi: 10.1007/s40136-023-00459-0. Online ahead of print.

Healthcare Disparities in Otolaryngology

Sana Batool  1   2 , Ciersten A Burks  1   3   4 , Regan W Bergmark  1   4   5
Affiliations
Review

Healthcare Disparities in Otolaryngology

Sana Batool et al. Curr Otorhinolaryngol Rep. .

Abstract

Purpose of review: The purpose of this review is to summarize some of the recent research studies on healthcare disparities across various subspecialties within otolaryngology. This review also highlights the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on disparities and proposes potential interventions to mitigate disparities.

Recent findings: Significant healthcare disparities in care and treatment outcomes have been reported across all areas of otolaryngology. Notable differences in survival, disease recurrence, and overall mortality have been noted based on race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status (SES), insurance status, etc. This is most well-researched in head and neck cancer (HNC) within otolaryngology.

Summary: Healthcare disparities have been identified by numerous research studies within otolaryngology for many vulnerable groups that include racial and ethnic minority groups, low-income populations, and individuals from rural areas among many others. These populations continue to experience suboptimal access to timely, quality otolaryngologic care that exacerbate disparities in health outcomes.

Keywords: Access; COVID-19; Disparities; Healthcare; Otolaryngology; Workforce.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of InterestSana Batool has nothing to disclose. Ciersten A. Burks reports United Against Racism Subspeciality Grant, Mass General Brigham. Regan W. Bergmark reports Nesson Fellow, Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Institutional faculty grant funding and salary support for research on disparities in timely access to high quality surgical care); United Against Racism Subspeciality Grant, Mass General Brigham; Grant funding, I-Mab Biopharma.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Socioecological framework applied to healthcare with examples within each category
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Voltage drop framework applied to head and neck cancer (HNC) care
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Effect of low socioeconomic status for head and neck cancer care
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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