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Review
. 2023 Sep;44(3):543-554.
doi: 10.1016/j.ccm.2023.03.010. Epub 2023 May 23.

Health Care Disparities in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Roberto J Bernardo  1 , Vinicio A de Jesus Perez  2
Affiliations
Review

Health Care Disparities in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Roberto J Bernardo et al. Clin Chest Med. 2023 Sep.

Abstract

The current approach for the management of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) relies on data gathered from clinical trials and large registries. However, there is concern that minorities including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color are underrepresented in these trials and registries, making current data not generalizable to these groups of patients. Hence, it is important to discuss the significance of race/ethnicity and socioeconomic factors in patients with PAH. Here, we review the current knowledge on health care disparities in PAH. We also propose future steps in the global task of assuring justice and equality in access to pulmonary hypertension health care.

Keywords: Ethnicity; Health care disparities; Pulmonary hypertension; Social determinants of health.

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Conflict of interest statement

FINANCIAL/NONFINANCIAL DISCLOSURES

Summary Conflict of interest statements: Dr R.J. Bernardo serves on the medical advisory board for Janssen Pharmaceuticals. Dr V.A. de Jesus Perez has no conflict of interest to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Central figure: Health care inequality in PH. Biological, environmental, and socioeconomic factors influence the course of the disease at different levels such as early antenatal exposure, lifestyle choices, social deprivation, and eventually, socioeconomic status and access to health care. (Created with BioRender.com.)
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Representation of minorities in PH clinical trials and registries. (A) Data in US-based registries and (B) Data in PH clinical trials. PH, pulmonary hypertension; PHAR, Pulmonary Hypertension Association Registry; REVEAL, Registry to Evaluate Early and Long-term PAH disease management; USPHSR, United States Pulmonary Hypertension Scientific Registry.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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