Disparities and Inequities in Trauma Care

Despite significant improvements in trauma care over the past few decades, inequities persist which prevent all patients from achieving the best possible outcomes. In this program sponsored by the American College of Surgeons’ Committee on Trauma (ACS-COT), we will explore the history and current state of disparities and inequities by race and ethnicity in the United States, the challenges in optimizing outcomes among older adults, international variation in both injury burden and post-injury outcomes, and the role of intersectionality in understanding and addressing health inequities. We will then discuss the role of addressing social determinants of health in optimizing outcomes and reducing inequities among trauma survivors. We will also discuss best practices in researching both inequities in trauma care as well as interventions to mitigate disparities. Finally, we will explore policy interventions that improve health insurance coverage, reduce financial toxicity, and address unmet social health needs in order to achieve more equitable outcomes.

Clinical Background

1. Welcome & Introduction - Dr. Eileen M. Bulger (USA), Dr. Jeffrey D. Kerby (USA) and Dr. Steven D. Wexner (USA)

2. Racial and Ethnic Inequities Among US Trauma Patients - Dr. Tanya L. Zakrison (USA)

3. Age-related disparities in Trauma / Geriatric Trauma - Dr. Deborah M. Stein (USA)

4. International variation in injury burden and comparative outcomes - Dr. Adil Haider (USA)

5. Understanding Intersectionality - Dr. Bonnie Simpson Mason (USA)

6. Best Practices for Health Equity Research - Dr. Lillian Kao (USA)

7. Addressing Social Determinants of Health to Mitigate Inequities - Dr. Rochelle Dicker (USA)

8. Health Policy to Improve Health Equity - Dr. Ali Salim (USA)

9. Discussion - All faculty moderated by Dr. Cherisse Berry (USA) and Dr. John W. Scott (USA)

10. Closing remarks -  Dr. Eileen M. Bulger (USA), Dr. Jeffrey D. Kerby (USA) and Dr. Steven D. Wexner (USA)