Achieving Greater Health Equity: An Opportunity for Anesthesiology

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Health Equity Research
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Health disparities and health equity are critical issues within anesthesiology.
• Anesthesiologists have a significant role in addressing these disparities.
• Understanding the impact of social determinants of health is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine health disparity and health equity from an anesthesiology perspective.
• To define health disparity, health care disparities, and health equity.
• To propose a framework for anesthesiologists to mitigate disparities and advance equity.

Main Methods:

• Defining health disparity and health equity with examples in anesthesiology practice.
• Developing a multilevel framework for mitigating disparities.
• Focusing on social identity, social determinants of health, and clinical informatics.

Main Results:

• A framework is proposed, integrating patient, clinician, departmental, system, and professional society perspectives.
• The importance of clinical informatics and race/ethnicity data for health equity is highlighted.
• Patient safety can be enhanced by considering factors affecting perioperative outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Anesthesiologists can play a vital role in eliminating health disparities.
• A comprehensive framework is essential for advancing health equity in anesthesiology.
• Medical journals and editorial boards can contribute to ameliorating disparities.