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Conscious and subconscious racial bias has long been recognized as a major contributor to unequal treatment, often causing unplanned outcomes in healthcare.  A study by former Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher estimated that 886,000 African-American lives could have been saved between the years 1991-2000 by achieving healthcare delivery equity.(1)

One of the most glaring examples is African-American women dying, during or after pregnancy, at three to four times the rate of white women.(2) Also of note is the 40% higher mortality rate from breast cancer even though African-American women get the same number of mammograms as white women.(3) The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology reports these statistics in a recent call to action about ethnic disparities addressed to its membership. There have been many such calls to action by the medical establishment in the past 20 years, yet the mortality gap between black women and white women is getting wider.

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Solutions
The Healthcare Equality Project has developed an educational program called ASK for Your Life which includes solutions, aimed at reducing disparities due to discrimination, subtle or overt, against people of color.

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Promoting
RACIAL EQUALITY in HEALTHCARE

Everyone has the right to safe, quality healthcare that is free from discrimination. You have the right to ask questions and make decisions about your care and you have the right to have a support person, or patient advocate, of your choice.

ASK for Your Life

Our Mission: Promoting racial equality in healthcare through a health literacy and patient empowerment program for the Black Community - individuals and families.
Our Vision is for all African Americans to be informed, involved and active participants in their healthcare.