Center to Advance Palliative Care Releases Key Findings from First Comprehensive Literature Review on the Health Care Experience of Hispanic Patients with Serious Illness

Hispanic patients living with a serious illness face significant and systemic disparities in their health care experience, according to the first-of-its-kind literature review conducted by the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC). The literature review analyzed more than 200 peer-reviewed journal articles to understand the health care experience of Hispanic patients with serious illness, and their families and unpaid caregivers. Today, CAPC is releasing the key findings.

“The literature review reveals critical gaps in care that disproportionately impact Hispanic patients and their families, underscoring the urgent need for culturally responsive solutions,” said Brittany Chambers, MPH, MCHES, CAPC Director of Health Equity and Special Initiatives. “These findings provide a foundation for collaborative action to improve outcomes and ensure equitable care for Hispanic patients and families across the United States.”

The key findings include:

1. The evidence is inconclusive as to whether Hispanic patients face inequities in access to, and use of, palliative care services.
2. Hispanic patients with serious illness receive lower-quality pain treatment.
3. Compared to White patients, Hispanic patients often experience worse non-pain symptom management.
4. In addition to disparities in pain and symptom management, Hispanic patients often receive sub-optimal care when facing serious illness.
5. The costs of care for Hispanic patients with serious illness are often higher than costs for White patients.
6. Disparities have been noted between Hispanic and White patients in relation to preferences for, and utilization of, life-prolonging treatments and high-acuity care.
7. Culture and religion play important roles in how Hispanic people with serious illness, and their families, perceive and address their care needs.
8. The caregivers of Hispanic patients play a dynamic role in the care of those with serious illness.
9. Clear communication between patients, caregivers, and providers is an important element of health care, but is sometimes a barrier to quality care for Hispanic patients with serious illness.
10. For some Hispanic patients, language impacts experiences with serious illness.
11. Inequities have been identified in psychosocial aspects of care for Hispanic patients.
12. The socioeconomic status of Hispanic patients impacts care experiences.
13. There are mixed findings on whether there are inequities in access to, and use of, hospice services for Hispanic patients.
14. Advance care planning is often a complex issue for Hispanic patients.

Review the key findings from the literature review. Each of the key findings include more detailed findings. The inclusion of a study in the key findings does not imply that CAPC endorses or recommends the article.

This literature review is part of CAPC’s Project Equity initiative and is an important part of CAPC’s commitment to addressing systemic inequities in the care people living with a serious illness. By highlighting the disparities Hispanic patients face, CAPC aims to empower change agents who work collaboratively to drive meaningful change.

Media requesting more information or an interview with an expert at the Center to Advance Palliative Care may contact John Zoccola at 267-664-2759 or [email protected].

About the Center to Advance Palliative Care

The Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) is a national organization dedicated to increasing the availability of quality, equitable health care for people living with a serious illness. As the nation’s leading resource in its field, CAPC provides health care professionals and organizations with the training, tools, and technical assistance necessary to effectively meet this need. CAPC is part of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. For more information, visit capc.org and follow @CAPCpalliative.

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