Spiritual care providers play a crucial role in addressing racial disparities in hospice utilization among African American communities, experts say. Recent research has shown that Black populations have the lowest likelihood of receiving hospice services compared to white decedents.
Faith and spirituality are deeply ingrained in African American culture, often influencing end-of-life decisions. Saul Ebema, president of Hospice Chaplaincy, notes that strong faith can sometimes conflict with hospice care acceptance, as it may be viewed as “giving up on faith.”
Wayman Scott, associate director at Gilchrist, emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical context of faith-based barriers among African Americans to improve hospice utilization. He stresses the need for cultural sensitivity and the ability to connect on a spiritual level to respond to these communities’ needs.
Chaplains are vital in building relationships within African American faith communities and communicating the benefits of hospice care. Shaul Praver, staff chaplain at NYU Langone Health, highlights the role of spiritual care providers in addressing historical mistrust issues stemming from experiences of oppression and discrimination.
Experts advocate for integrating spiritual care into health equity reimbursement initiatives to improve access. Scott notes that while community engagement efforts can be costly, they provide valuable insights into shaping more culturally and spiritually inclusive hospice care models.
The article underscores the need for culturally competent hospice care and the importance of addressing mistrust to provide dignified and sensitive care for African American patients at the end of life.
See “Spiritual Care Key to Addressing Disparities Among Underserved Black Communities” (March 11, 2024)
