Black, Asian, and Hispanic Americans With IBD Are Less Likely to Receive Advanced Care – Everyday Health

“Our study found significant disparities in how different racial and ethnic groups access and use healthcare services for inflammatory bowel disease in the U.S.,” says the study coauthor Andrés Hurtado-Lorenzo, PhD, a senior vice president of translational research and IBD ventures at the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.
Importantly, many of the inequities observed in the study shrank significantly after adjustments were made for household income and dual Medicare-Medicaid eligibility, which suggests socioeconomic barriers and structural racism may play a major role, says Dr. Hurtado-Lorenzo.
Researchers used data on more than three million people from two national datasets covering 2016 to 2017 to look at how Asian, Black, Hispanic, and white Americans of different ages with IBD accessed healthcare and medicines.
Key findings included:
Investigators also found disparities in access to advanced IBD therapies, such as biologics and JAK inhibitors, across different racial and ethnic groups. But the gaps decreased significantly after researchers adjusted for household income and dual Medicare-Medicaid eligibility.
“That implies household income and access to comprehensive insurance coverage play a key role in determining who can receive these advanced, and often costly, IBD treatments,” says Hurtado-Lorenzo.
Further analysis showed significantly lower use of advanced therapies among Asian children and older Black adults with more advanced IBD than among their white counterparts, says Hurtado-Lorenzo. “This suggests that racial minorities with more severe, treatment-refractory IBD may face additional barriers in accessing the most effective, guideline-recommended medications,” he says.

The findings should be used to shape new policies and future research priorities to improve health disparities in IBD care, said Dr. Segura.

Healthcare providers can support patients of color by addressing their own implicit biases, working to help patients navigate equitable access to treatments, and using culturally sensitive communication, says Hurtado-Lorenzo.
“Providers should also consider social determinants of health — such as transportation challenges or language barriers — when developing care plans,” he says.
“To better care for their condition, patients of color can take proactive steps such as seeking out IBD specialists and asking about all available treatment options, including advanced therapies like biologics,” says Hurtado-Lorenzo. Don’t hesitate to ask questions about your treatment and advocate for regular follow-ups with a gastroenterologist, he adds.
Additionally, you can work with your healthcare provider to develop a comprehensive care plan to reduce the likelihood you’ll have to go to the ER for emergency care.
You can also enroll in a clinical trial to help researchers learn more about IBD disease processes, symptoms, and treatment response in people of color. ClinicalTrials.org has a search function, or you can ask your provider about trials in your area.
Becky Upham has been professionally involved in health and wellness for almost 20 years. She's been a race director, a recruiter for Team in Training for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, a salesperson for a major pharmaceutical company, a blogger for Moogfest, a communications manager for Mission Health, a fitness instructor, and a health coach.
She majored in English at the University of North Carolina and has a master's in English writing from Hollins University.
Upham enjoys teaching cycling classes, running, reading fiction, and making playlists.
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