A new report from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) highlights significant racial and ethnic disparities in health care experiences among older adults in the United States. As the population ages and becomes more diverse, with people of color projected to comprise nearly half of adults aged 65 and older by 2060, these disparities demand attention from policymakers and health care professionals.
The study found that among Medicare beneficiaries, who are predominantly 65 and older, Black and Hispanic adults are more likely than White adults to report poor health, higher rates of chronic conditions like hypertension, higher rates of hospital admissions, and a greater likelihood of receiving care in lower-rated hospitals.
Alarmingly, 11% of older Black adults and 5% of older Hispanic and Asian adults reported experiencing unfair treatment or disrespect from health care providers or staff due to their race or ethnicity in the past three years, compared to just 1% of older White adults.
Moreover, majorities of older Black, Hispanic, and Asian adults stated that fewer than half of their recent health care visits involved providers who shared their racial or ethnic background, potentially contributing to communication barriers and lack of cultural competency.
While Medicare helps mitigate disparities in health care access related to insurance coverage, the KFF report underscores the need for concerted efforts to address systemic racism and discrimination within the health care system to ensure equitable care for an increasingly diverse aging population.
See “Five Facts About Older Adults’ Health Care Experiences by Race and Ethnicity” (April 29, 2024)
