Study shows disparities in access to stroke care services based on community income levels, affecting patient outcomes.
Low-income communities are significantly less likely to have hospitals obtain certification for stroke services.
Hospitals located in economically mixed or affluent communities are more likely to become stroke certified.
Disparities exist across the United States in access to critical neurologic treatment.
Hospitals near socioeconomically disadvantaged communities are 20 to 42% less likely to obtain stroke center certification.
Providing support for hospitals in disadvantaged communities to obtain stroke center certification may help reduce disparities in stroke care.
A study conducted by UC San Francisco researchers over a 14-year period revealed that hospitals in low-income communities are significantly less likely to obtain certification for stroke services when compared to hospitals in economically mixed or affluent areas. This lack of certification results in the inability to provide urgent, lifesaving treatment for stroke patients, leading to disparities in access to critical neurologic treatment. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, highlights the need for social and policy interventions at local, state, and federal levels to address these inequalities in stroke care services.
The findings show that hospitals near socioeconomically disadvantaged communities are 20 to 42% less likely to obtain stroke center certification compared to hospitals in areas with average socioeconomic status. This disparity in certification is attributed to differences in patient payer mix, with hospitals serving patients with higher proportions of commercial insurance and Medicare being more likely to achieve certification. Providing support for hospitals in disadvantaged communities to obtain stroke center certification may help reduce these disparities and improve access to quality stroke care services for all individuals across the United States.
