By Ruchi Mathur

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Of all forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.”

Have you ever been cared for by a doctor who did not fully explain your condition and treatment options? Has your doctor ever used language that you didn’t understand?

Have you ever received care that seemed sloppy or second-rate? If so, you may have experienced health disparities.

What are health disparities?

Health disparities are differences in the quality and type of health care that some people receive compared to others. For example, people of color and people whose first language is not English often receive lower-quality health care compared to whites. As a result they live sicker and die younger.

What do health disparities look like?

African- American males are expected to live 6 years less than white males.

Latinos are almost twice as likely to die from diabetes as white men.

Twice as many babies born to African- American mothers die compared to those born to white mothers.

Latinas are four times as likely to die from AIDS as white women.

What can you do?

Here are some quotes from local residents, followed by steps you can take if you are ever in a similar situation.

“I didn’t feel like I was being told anything. I don’t think any doctor should just give you some pills and not explain why you are taking them, or what they’re supposed to do.” -South Bronx resident.

Action: Write down questions and symptoms before hand. Bring a family member to help you remember. Write down doctor’s answers and ask for more information.

“I see doctors going to see a patient that is black and they are white and they will just stand there. ‘Oh how do you do? You OK?’ And act like they’re scared to touch the patient. And then they’ll walk out.” - South Bronx resident.

Action: Remember that health care is a universal right – not a privilege based on race! You are backed by the law when you raise your voice against health disparities!

Complain in person or by writing to the hospital or the Department of Health. For advice about filing a formal complaint, contact the New York Lawyers for the Public Interest at (212) 244-4664.

Ruchi Mathur is a HealthCorps member with Bronx Health REACH, a program committed to eliminating racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes in the southwest Bronx.