Black patients who had strokes waited significantly longer for treatment compared to white patients, a new study finds. Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston analyzed data from over 1,200 stroke patients and found that Black patients had an average delay of 62 minutes before receiving treatment, while white patients waited an average of 44 minutes.
The study, published in the journal Stroke, highlights racial disparities in stroke care. Dr. Anjail Sharrief, the study’s lead author, says the findings underscore the need to address systemic issues contributing to these delays.
Strokes, which occur when blood flow to the brain is disrupted, require immediate treatment to minimize brain damage and improve outcomes. The most effective treatment, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), must be administered within 4.5 hours of symptom onset.
Researchers point to various factors that may contribute to longer delays for Black patients, including a lack of awareness about stroke symptoms, limited access to healthcare, and implicit bias among medical professionals. Addressing these disparities is crucial, as strokes disproportionately affect Black Americans.
The study calls for targeted interventions and education campaigns to raise stroke awareness in Black communities and training for healthcare providers to recognize and overcome implicit biases. Closing the gap in stroke treatment times is essential to improve outcomes and reduce the burden of stroke among Black Americans.
See “Black stroke patients wait longer for treatment than white patients” (June 3, 2024)
