Everyone should have equal access to the full range of end-of-life care options. Yet research reveals persistent barriers to accessing hospice care and end-of-life planning support for Black Americans, Asian Americans,Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, Hispanic and Latino communities, Indigenous communities, and LGBTQ+communities.
When compared to white peers, AAPI, Black, and Hispanic and Latino adults are less likely to report having an advance directive.1
White
AAPI
Black
Latino
Share of Medicare patients who used hospice, by race.4
Proportion of LGBTQ+ adults age 45+ concerned they will need to hide their identity in long-term care.3
Sources:
1. Liu, Joy C., Lo, Joan C., Gordon, Nancy P., Racial Ethnic Differences in Advance Directive Completion Among Middle-Aged and Older US Adults (Sch455), Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, Volume 65 (Issue 5), 2023. 2. Addressing Inequities in End-of-Life Planning and Care: Advancing Equity at Life’s End. Compassion & Choices. Nov 4, 2021. Jawed, Areeba, Comer, Amber R. “Disparities in end-of-life care for racial minorities: a narrative review” Annals of Palliative Medicine Vol 13, No 2 (March 31, 2024). Crooks, J., Trotter, S., Patient Public Involvement Consortium. et al. “How does ethnicity affect presence of advance care planning in care records for individuals with advanced disease? A mixed-methods systematic review.” BMC Palliative Care 22, 43 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-023-01168-7 3. Maintaining Dignity, AARP, 2020. https://doi.org/10.26419/res.00217.005. 4. NHPCO’s Fact and Figures 2024 Edition, National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, Sep 2024.
