In a new University of San Diego study, researchers
concluded white, black, and Hispanic children all had equal hospital survival
rates after experiencing serious injuries.
In a 12 year study of over 47,000 patient records, the study concluded
there was little disparity. In fact, an
estimated 1% of injured children died, findings that were similar across racial
groups.
This finding was somewhat surprising, given past evidence
that racial disparities could influence outcomes. Said lead researcher, Dr. David Chang, “We suspect that there's
something about the system, and it could be the diversity or it could be the
health care system in California, where there's less of a difference between
races than you see in different parts of the country.”
Originally, it
appeared there might be just the opposite.
Among white kids, deaths seemed to be less common than blacks and Hispanics
until researchers accounted for age, severity of injury and mechanism of
injury. For instance, gunshot wounds were more common in blacks, and falls were
more common in Asians.
What do you
think? Does California’s increased diversity translate into better outcomes for
minority patients?
If you’ve
experienced just the opposite and you need a trusted advocate, you should
contact an attorney today.