Equity In Healthcare: 5 Data Science Stats That Shouldn't Exist

Equity in healthcare is so important that we cover five shocking truths discovered in this episode. In the era of data-driven healthcare, it's shocking to discover that certain statistics still exist, perpetuating racial bias in medicine and healthcare disparities. As a data analyst, it's crucial to acknowledge these biases and work towards creating a more inclusive healthcare system. In this video, we'll explore 5 alarming data science in healthcare stats that shouldn't exist but still do, from transgender healthcare discrimination to statistical disparities in health outcomes. We'll delve into the role of AI in healthcare and how it can either exacerbate or alleviate these issues, depending on how we choose to design and implement these technologies. By shedding light on these dark truths, we can work towards a future where data transparency and data justice reign supreme, and everyone has access to equitable, high-quality care. Join us as we discuss the importance of inclusive data, digital equity, and social determinants of health in creating a better future for all.

References:
Stat 1 – Maternal Mortality Disparities
Claim: Black women are 3x more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women.
Source:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Racial and Ethnic Disparities Continue in Pregnancy-Related Deaths.
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/w...

Stat 2 – Pain Management Inequities
Claim: Non-white patients are 22% less likely to receive pain meds in the ER; outdated racial beliefs still persist in training.
Sources:
Goyal MK, et al. Racial Disparities in Pain Management of Children With Appendicitis. JAMA Pediatrics. 2015.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26366...

Hoffman KM, et al. Racial bias in pain assessment and treatment recommendations, and false beliefs about biological differences between blacks and whites. PNAS. 2016.
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas...

Stat 3 – Algorithmic Bias in Healthcare
Claim: A widely used health algorithm prioritized white patients for extra care, even when Black patients were sicker.
Source:

Obermeyer Z, et al. Dissecting racial bias in an algorithm used to manage the health of populations. Science. 2019.
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/s...

Stat 4 – Discrimination Against Trans Patients
Claim: 25% of trans adults were intentionally misgendered or deadnamed by healthcare providers.
Source:

National Center for Transgender Equality. 2022 U.S. Transgender Survey – Early Insights Report.
https://transequality.org/sites/defau...

Stat 5 – Lack of Black Physicians and Health Impact
Claim: Only 6% of U.S. physicians are Black; representation improves trust and outcomes.
Source:

Lett LA, et al. Declining Black Representation in the U.S. Physician Workforce: The Importance of Systemic Change.
JAMA Network Open. 2021.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama...

Kaiser Permanente NW. Research Shows Black Physicians Improve Black Life Expectancy.
https://northwest.permanente.org/blog...

00:00 Introduction and Purpose
01:07 Disturbing Statistic #1: Maternal Mortality Disparities
02:02 Disturbing Statistic #2: Pain Management Inequities
02:50 Disturbing Statistic #3: Algorithmic Bias in Healthcare
03:38 Disturbing Statistic #4: Discrimination Against Trans Patients
04:27 Disturbing Statistic #5: Lack of Black Physicians
05:12 Call to Action and Conclusion