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Racial disparities in pediatric otolaryngology: current state and future hope
Cedric V Pritchett1,2, Romaine F Johnson3,4
1Division of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, Nemours Children's Hospital.
Insights
Children from nonwhite backgrounds experience health disparities in pediatric otolaryngology specialty care. Addressing these racial disparities requires acknowledging systemic inequities and implementing intentional strategies for equitable care delivery.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Health Disparities Research
- Health Equity
Background:
- Health disparities significantly impact pediatric care, particularly in specialized fields.
- Racial and ethnic minority children often face barriers to accessing quality healthcare.
- Understanding these disparities is crucial for improving child health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current literature on health disparities in pediatric otolaryngology.
- To examine racial disparities in otologic, airway, and adenotonsillar disease management.
- To analyze access, quality of care, and disparate outcomes in pediatric otolaryngology.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current publications and sentinel papers.
- Analysis of racial disparities in specific pediatric otolaryngology subspecialties.
- Examination of factors influencing access and quality of care.
Main Results:
- Published data indicate nonwhite children receive disparate specialty care in pediatric otolaryngology.
- Racial disparities are evident in otologic and airway interventions.
- Disparities extend to the management of general adenotonsillar diseases.
Conclusions:
- Racial disparities are a significant issue in pediatric otolaryngology specialty care.
- These disparities are linked to generational and foundational inequities in the U.S.
- Achieving parity requires acknowledging current disparities and making intentional efforts to improve care delivery.
Purpose Of Review:
The current article reviews the current literature and selected sentinel papers on health disparities particularly relevant to the field of pediatric otolaryngology. The discussion will explore racial disparities in otologic and airway intervention areas, as well as general adenotonsillar disease management. Access to and quality of care will be examined, and disparate outcomes discussed.
Recent Findings:
Growing published data demonstrate children from nonwhite backgrounds receive disparate specialty care in representative fields of pediatric otolaryngology.
Summary:
Racial disparities exist in specialty care pediatric otolaryngology. Such disparities should be viewed in the light of generational inequalities in the United States and the foundational inequities that perpetuate them. Parity in the delivery of such specialty care depends on recognizing our current state and intentional efforts to modulate the impact of such effectual factors.
