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A Look at Ethnic and Racial Disparities in Hospice Care

A 2012 report by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) found that of the 1.65 million terminally ill patients who received hospice care in 2011, 83% are white, 8.5% were African American, 6.2% Hispanic, and less than 3% were members of other ethnic groups. Some possible reasons for low utilization of hospice
services by minority groups include:

  1. Some groups of patients preferring more aggressive end-of-life care and a preference to die in a hospital
  2. Patient mistrust in physicians and the medical system
  3. Lack of cultural competence among hospice staff and failure to inform minority patients of the option of hospice care
  4. Some findings offer a possible remedy by providing more inpatient palliative care consultations for minority groups to inform them of hospice services. Other approaches include: ongoing cultural sensitivity staff training. Outreach to houses of worship and other institutions that seriously ill patients and their families seek out for support would also be beneficial.
  5. Update: In the fall 2016 newsletter, there will be a description of Life Source Hospice’s customized care for its
    Korean patients.