A new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals significant racial disparities in the diagnosis and progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in the United States. The research, published in the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, found that Black patients with ALS experience an average 8-month longer wait for diagnosis compared to white patients.
The study analyzed data from 4,242 ALS patients enrolled in the National ALS Registry between 2010 and 2022. While ALS is more common among white people in the U.S., the findings highlight important differences in how the disease manifests and is managed across racial groups.
Black patients were more likely to be diagnosed before age 50 and to experience initial muscle weakness in their hands and arms. They also had a higher incidence of pneumonia compared to white patients. Despite being diagnosed at a younger age on average, Black patients faced a significantly longer diagnostic delay of 24 months, compared to 16 months for white patients.
The researchers noted that these disparities could be due to barriers in accessing care and a perception of ALS as a “white disease.” They emphasized the need for increased awareness of ALS symptoms among minority populations and better education for physicians about disparities in care access.
“Increased recruitment of non-white ALS patients and better characterization of symptom onset between races might aid clinicians in diagnosing ALS sooner, leading to earlier therapeutic interventions,” the study authors wrote.
The findings underscore the importance of addressing racial disparities in ALS diagnosis and treatment to ensure all patients receive timely care and support.
See “ALS diagnosis takes longer for Black patients than white patients: Study” (August 7, 2024)
