In a concerning trend, racial and ethnic minorities in the United States are experiencing disproportionately worse outcomes from peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition that narrows arteries in the extremities. This disparity highlights persistent health inequities affecting Black, Hispanic, and American Indian communities.
PAD, which can lead to serious complications such as heart attacks, strokes, and even limb amputation, is taking a particularly heavy toll on these minority groups. Recent studies have shown that these populations face higher rates of critical limb-threatening ischemia, acute limb ischemia, amputation, and mortality compared to their White counterparts.
While research in this area is growing, there’s a notable imbalance in focus. The majority of studies on racial and ethnic disparities in PAD have centered on Black individuals, with limited attention given to other minority groups in the U.S.
Interestingly, the impact of race and ethnicity on PAD outcomes appears to be closely intertwined with socioeconomic factors. This connection underscores the complex nature of health disparities and the need for comprehensive approaches to address them.
Encouragingly, some strategies have shown promise in promoting health equity. Policies supporting quality measures and addressing social determinants of health have demonstrated potential in reducing these disparities.
Importantly, current evidence suggests that biological differences are unlikely to be the primary cause of these disparities. Instead, the findings point to social determinants of health as key factors, emphasizing the need for a renewed focus on these areas to achieve true health equity in PAD outcomes across all racial and ethnic groups.
See “Racial and Socioeconomic Health Disparities in Peripheral Artery Disease” (November 4, 2024)
