Doctors, patients and the racial mortality gap

Emilia Simeonova

Journal of Health Economics, 2013, vol. 32, issue 5, 895-908

Abstract: Research in the health sciences reports persistent racial differences in health care access, utilization, and outcomes. This study investigates three potential sources of these disparities – differential quality of care, physician discrimination, and patient response to therapy. It uses a unique panel dataset of physician–patient encounters, the resulting medication therapies and the patients’ adherence to those medical recommendations. Equalizing access to quality health care will not erase the racial differences in mortality among chronically ill patients. Targeted programs aimed at improving adherence with medication therapy among disadvantaged groups must be an integral part of any policy aimed at achieving equality in health outcomes.

Keywords: Health inequality; Racial mortality gap; Adherence to medical therapy; Health production (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I10 I12 I14 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jhecon:v:32:y:2013:i:5:p:895-908

DOI: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2013.07.002

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