Hispanic patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) are at a significantly higher risk for developing severe liver conditions, including alcohol-associated hepatitis and decompensated cirrhosis, compared to their non-Hispanic white counterparts. This disparity was highlighted in a recent study conducted by Soo Young Hwang, MD, and colleagues from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Massachusetts General Hospital.
The study, which analyzed data from 17,378 patients hospitalized at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, found that Hispanic patients were more likely to develop complications related to alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD).
The researchers noted that racial disparities in health outcomes are influenced by factors such as access to healthcare, racial discrimination, and environmental conditions. These factors contribute to the higher prevalence of ALD among Hispanic patients. The study also revealed that diabetes was most commonly observed in Hispanic patients, while non-Hispanic white patients had higher rates of myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure.
Understanding these disparities is crucial for developing targeted interventions to improve health outcomes for minority communities. The findings underscore the need for healthcare providers to consider racial and ethnic differences when diagnosing and treating patients with AUD. By addressing the unique challenges faced by Hispanic patients, healthcare systems can work towards reducing the burden of liver disease in this vulnerable population.
See: “Hispanic patients with alcohol use disorder face greater odds for hepatitis, cirrhosis” (January 7, 2025)
