Editorial Commentary: Health Care Policies Must Ensure Equitable Access for All Patients

Abstract

It is critical to identify disparities in health care, including orthopaedic pathology, to ensure equitable care across all populations. Recent research shows that White, socially nondeprived, male patients with private insurance are more likely to undergo surgical procedures for rotator cuff disease after a minimum of 6 months of nonoperative management, and race and low income are associated with delays in access to health care and worse outcomes. Moreover, many practitioners and researchers do not record or report important socioeconomic factors. Health care policies must ensure equitable access for all patients, and physicians and other providers must proactively identify patients at risk in order to optimize care.