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Some 50 percent of hospitals in the United States are racially segregated, meaning the patient populations they serve do not reflect the demographics of their communities, according to the latest analysis from healthcare thinktank Lown Institute which was emailed to journalists. This imperils national efforts for addressing health equity.
The cities with the most racially segregated hospitals included Detroit, St. Louis, and Kansas City, the report added.
Having a racially segregated hospital means the demographics of populations served do not align with the demographics of the greater community, the researchers explained. In other words, hospitals serve a disproportionately Whiter patient population than which reflects community demographics.