Trauma care disparities: is equity the key? Output from SAFER-Trauma

Abstract

Despite remarkable advances in clinical care, injury remains a leading cause of death in the USA. Recent studies in the care of the injured patient have begun to unearth the crucial influence of health disparities and health inequity on outcomes after injury. Importantly, it is known that there are strikingly disparate outcomes following injury based on demographic backgrounds, with racial and ethnic minoritized groups having a higher risk of death from traumatic injury. This paper highlights the problem of health inequity after injury by addressing health and health care disparities in trauma with a focus on the proceedings from the Summit on the Advancement of Focused Equity Research in Trauma organized by Coalition for National Trauma Research's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Included in this work is an assessment of the structural determinants of health inequities and the evidence for widespread inequities across the continuum of trauma care; with an emphasis on five vital, actionable steps towards health equity that can be taken now by the trauma community, including firearm injury prevention, Medicaid expansion, trauma-informed care, equity measurement and benchmarking, and improving trauma survivorship. Ultimately, to move towards improved quality of care for all injured patients, we must eliminate health care disparities in trauma care across the continuum and work towards more equitable care for all.

Keywords: Delivery of Health Care; Health Care Quality, Access, And Evaluation; Healthcare disparities; patient-centered care.