There’s strong evidence that palliative care can improve the quality of life for terminal and chronically ill patients, while reducing emergency room visits and hospitalizations by as much as half.
Racial disparities in end-of-life care — how mistrust keeps many African Americans away from hospice
Sharitta Berry was at Oakland’s Highland Hospital when she got the bad news in early 2018.
For Asians, Latinos, and other ethnic minorities, the end of life presents unique challenges. Language barriers and cultural traditions can often inhibit access to hospice, pain management, and comfort care.
The cost of aging in America is outrageous, as journalist Andrew Lam's family has come to learn. And the costs aren't just financial — caring for aging family members requires tremendous human capital as well.
Most Americans nearing death don’t have access to palliative services and good end-of-life care. But for underserved populations of African-Americans, Latinos and Asians, the gap is even wider.