Disparities in Healthcare

Aired February 10, 2005

Although doctors and other healthcare professionals are sworn to treat people in need, the quality of that treatment sometimes can vary depending on a patient’s racial or ethnic background. “Cultural competency” is a new term that is becoming increasingly popular in the medical community, these days. It suggests that there is more to treating a patient than taking a blood pressure or checking a heart rate. ideastream’s David C. Barnett has this report.

See Also: David Satcher Interview (Web Exclusive); Healthcare Disparities information