Damning Research Reveals Extent of Pediatrics Care Gap: Children of Color Receive Worse Treatment

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024

Across the board, children of color in America receive less treatment and fewer life-saving interventions than white children, according to a research review published in Lancet Child and Adolescent Health. The data find that strongest disparities between whites and children of color involved pain management; kids of color are less likely than their white peers to get painkillers for a broken arm or leg, for appendicitis or for migraines.

Dr. Nia Heard-Garris, pediatrician and researcher at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, helped lead the project. She explains that the research also shows white children are sometimes overtreated, which is also not good for their health. Join hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter as they examine the findings and look for policy solutions.

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