The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) — the federal agency that enforces laws against discrimination by certain health care providers based on race, color, national origin, disability, age, religion, and sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity) — recently issued reminders …
How many people are discriminated against in healthcare?
Our study estimates that, overall,
more than 1 in 5 adults in the US have experienced discrimination at least once while receiving health care
.
What is considered discrimination in healthcare?
Discrimination in the healthcare setting can be defined as
negative actions or lack of consideration given to an individual or group that occurs because of a preconceived and unjustified opinion
.
Who is affected by discrimination in healthcare?
More specifically, our results suggest three main points. First, we showed that
disadvantaged social groups – particularly women, immigrants, those of African origin, and Muslim religion
– are more likely to have experienced discrimination in healthcare settings.
You may be experiencing unlawful discrimination by a healthcare or care provider if someone:
treats you differently and worse than others because of who you are, because of who they think you are or because of someone you are connected to
– this is called direct discrimination.
What are the reasons for the discrimination in health?
- age.
- disability.
- gender reassignment.
- pregnancy and maternity.
- race.
- religion or belief.
- sex.
- sexual orientation.
How do you challenge discrimination in healthcare?
You can
make an informal complaint first to the healthcare or care provider
. This could be to the person who discriminated against you or the organisation who employs them. If the problem isn’t resolved informally, you can make a formal complaint.
- Direct discrimination.
- Indirect discrimination.
- Harassment.
- Victimisation.
What is implicit bias in healthcare?
Implicit biases involve
associations outside conscious awareness that lead to a negative evaluation of a person on the basis of irrelevant characteristics such as race or gender
. This review examines the evidence that healthcare professionals display implicit biases towards patients.
What is health injustice?
Health inequity refers to
avoidable differences in health between different groups of people
. These widespread differences are the result of unfair systems that negatively affect people’s living conditions, access to healthcare, and overall health status.
It is important to prevent discrimination happening to anyone. This is because
it helps protects their rights and wellbeing since everyone deserves to access the same rights and have the same opportunities in life
.
Effects of discriminatory practice: (e.g.
disempowerment, low self-esteem and self-confidence, marginalisation, restricted opportunities, unemployment, lack of social cohesion, negative behaviours such as violence or criminality, loss of rights
).
How does discrimination affect access to healthcare?
Racial Underrepresentation in Healthcare
Discrimination and bias
leads fewer people of color to enter the healthcare profession
and affects the lives of those who do. For example, a 2019 study by the Journal of the American Medical Association looked at 15 years’ worth of U.S. medical school students.
- Respecting diversity by providing person centred care.
- Treating the individuals that you support as unique rather than treating all individuals in the same way.
- Ensuring you work in a non-judgemental way.
An example of positive discrimination would be
if an employer chose to recruit a person because they have a specific protected characteristic, rather than because the person was the best candidate for the role
.
What are the 4 main types of discrimination?
These four types of discrimination are
direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation
.
How can the 6Cs help health professionals prevent discrimination?
The purpose of the 6Cs is to ensure people are looked after with care and compassion, by professionals who are competent, communicate well, have the courage to make changes that improve care and can deliver the best, and commit to delivering this all day, every day (NHS 6Cs England, 2012).
What is discrimination in nursing?
Discrimination against someone because they are perceived to possess a protected characteristic
. For example, not employing a nurse because the employer (mistakenly) believes the nurse to be gay.
