Racial/ethnic differences in poststroke rehabilitation utilization in the USA

Abstract

Longstanding racial/ethnic disparities exist in the USA in the areas of healthcare access, healthcare utilization and health-related outcomes of chronic health conditions, such as stroke. Regarding stroke specifically, significant racial/ethnic disparities in stroke incidence, severity and outcomes have been reported. Despite these differences, little attention has been given to potential racial/ethnic differences in the utilization of rehabilitation services for patients after stroke. To date, only a few studies have been specifically designed to examine racial/ethnic differences in rehabilitation service utilization. A review of these studies and related studies suggests that racial/ethnic differences may be present in the utilization of poststroke rehabilitation services. Consequently, new studies are needed to delineate how race/ethnicity influences utilization of poststroke rehabilitation services and to determine how a reduction in this disparity gap could improve stroke-related outcomes among racial/ethnic minorities in the USA.

Keywords::

• ethnicity
• occupational therapy
• physical therapy
• race
• rehabilitation
• speech therapy
• stroke

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.