Separate and unequal: racial segregation and disparities in quality across U.S. nursing homes

TitleSeparate and unequal: racial segregation and disparities in quality across U.S. nursing homes
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2007
AuthorsSmith D.B, Feng Z., Fennell M.L, Zinn J.S, Mor V.
JournalHealth Aff (Millwood)
Volume26
Issue5
Pagination1448-58
Date PublishedSep-Oct
ISBN Number1544-5208 (Electronic)
Accession Number17848457
KeywordsAfrican Americans/ statistics & numerical data, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (U.S.), Certification, Civil Rights/legislation & jurisprudence, European Continental Ancestry Group/ statistics & numerical data, Health Care Surveys, Health Services Accessibility/ statistics & numerical data, Healthcare Disparities/ statistics & numerical data, Humans, Nursing Homes/ standards/utilization, Prejudice, Quality of Health Care/ statistics & numerical data, Social Justice, Socioeconomic Factors, United States
Abstract

We describe the racial segregation in U.S. nursing homes and its relationship to racial disparities in the quality of care. Nursing homes remain relatively segregated, roughly mirroring the residential segregation within metropolitan areas. As a result, blacks are much more likely than whites to be located in nursing homes that have serious deficiencies, lower staffing ratios, and greater financial vulnerability. Changing health care providers' behavior will not be sufficient to eliminate disparities in medical treatment in nursing homes. Persistent segregation among homes poses a substantial barrier to progress.

DOI10.1377/hlthaff.26.5.1448