Palliative and end-of-life care in the African American community.

Abstract

AFRICAN AMERICANS AND OTHER MINORITIES UNDERuse palliative and hospice care, even when they have access to this care. Statistics from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization indicate that African Americans represent 8% of patients who participate in hospice care, as compared with 83% whites. Explanations for the underutilization of palliative care and hospice services by African Americans has engendered much speculation, but few data have been collected to further the understanding of this important problem. To provide the basis for solutions to correct this current state of affairs, reliable data and a broader societal dialogue are needed. In response to this problem, the Initiative to Improve Palliative and End-of-Life Care in the African American Community was formed to delineate historical, social, cultural, ethical, economic, legal, health policy, and medical issues that appear to affect African Americans’ attitudes toward, acceptance of, access to, and utilization of palliative care and hospice services. In February 2000, an interdisciplinary working group of African American scholars and professionals met to begin defining a research, education, and policy agenda for the improvement of end-of-life care for African American patients facing death. We offer this commentary to further this discussion.