Urgent medical procedures come with higher expenses, and racial disparities appear to be amplifying these costs

Urgent medical procedures come with higher expenses, and racial disparities appear to be amplifying these costs

Revised Article:

Let's dive into a mind-blowing revelation: Black, Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific Islander patients are shelling out big bucks for emergency surgeries compared to their white counterparts - racking up billions in annual hospital costs nationwide. This bombshell study sheds light on how unequal access to routine care translates into substantial financial and health disparities.

Why It Matters:

The US healthcare system is on a skyrocketing path, set to gobble up almost 20% of the nation's GDP by 2028, making cost reduction a burning issue. With over 45 million surgeries performed annually, making small improvements in surgical efficiency could save billions. In fact, past research suggested converting just 10% of emergency procedures for conditions covered by free screenings under the Affordable Care Act could save a cool $1 billion over a decade. However, these potential savings aren't evenly distributed due to known healthcare disparities. Black patients receive significantly less screening for conditions like colorectal cancer, heart disease, and abdominal aortic aneurysms, leading to more emergency surgeries. This vicious circle sees those least able to afford healthcare facing the heftiest costs, while the healthcare system misses out on opportunities for improved outcomes and massive cost savings.

The Skinny:

Researchers analyzed data from over 3 million patients who underwent abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, coronary artery bypass surgery, and colon cancer resection between 2011 and 2020. They found that emergency procedures cost an average of $13,645 more per patient, which is a 33% jump in hospitalization costs. But the financial penalty isn't equal for everyone: Black patients face an extra $15,552 in costs, Hispanic patients $14,525, and Asian/Pacific Islander patients $16,887, compared to $13,086 for white patients. This adds up to a whopping $1.8 billion in potential yearly savings if just 10% of emergency procedures were converted to planned ones. Emergency surgeries were linked to higher mortality rates, complications, and longer hospital stays as well.

What's On Tap:

The authors call for targeted interventions to improve access to preventive care and screening programs, particularly in minority communities. They suggest healthcare systems ramp up community health programs, improve insurance coverage for preventive services, and address social determinants of health that contribute to delayed care. They also hint policy makers need to reconsider current financing structures that may unintentionally penalize emergency care while potentially underinvesting in prevention. The researchers recommend future studies examine specific interventions that have successfully reduced emergency surgery rates and their cost-effectiveness across different populations.

From the Experts:

"These figures tell the tale of real people and families wrestling with significant financial and health issues due to unequal access to preventive care, a disparity that's been shown to be driven by racial inequities in healthcare," said Dr. Saad Mallick, study lead author from UCLA's Center for Advanced Surgical & Interventional Technology. "What's particularly shocking is that these are largely preventable costs-we know how to screen for aneurysms, heart disease, and colorectal cancer. The question is whether we have the grit to ensure all Americans have access to these essential services."

The Lowdown:

Race-Based Disparities in Clinical and Financial Outcomes Associated with Major Elective and Emergent Surgery (Link isExternal)(Surgery Open Science, Volume 26, Pages 39-46. DOI: 10.1016/j.sopen.2025.04.010)

Meet the Research Team:Drs. Saad Mallick, Sara Sakowitz, Nam Yong Cho, Troy Coaston, Esteban Aguayo, and Peyman Benharash from UCLA's Center for Advanced Surgical & Interventional Technology at the David Geffen School of Medicine, and Dr. Syed Shahyan Bakhtiyar from the Department of Surgery at the University of Colorado in Denver.

Funding and Disclosures:Peyman Benharash discloses a relationship with AtriCure Inc. that includes consulting or advisory. Other authors declare no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have influenced the work reported in this paper.

Enrichment Insights:

1. Unequal Access to Screening and Preventive Care: Black patients often receive less screening for conditions like colorectal cancer, coronary artery disease, and abdominal aortic aneurysms, leading to more frequent emergency surgeries.
2. Racial Disparities in Healthcare Access and Quality: Inequities in healthcare and worse health outcomes are prevalent among minority groups due to factors like longer ambulance offload times and the inability to afford healthcare.
3. Economic and Socioeconomic Factors: Medical debt disproportionately affects low-income, Black, and Hispanic Americans, often due to underinsurance or lack of insurance. This financial strain can limit access to necessary care and exacerbate healthcare disparities.
4. Solutions to Address Disparities: Proposed solutions include enhancing access to preventive care, improving insurance coverage, addressing healthcare infrastructure gaps, implementing policies and practices within healthcare systems that promote health equity, and engaging with local communities to educate about preventive care.
5. The skyrocketing healthcare costs in the US are a major concern, with projections suggesting it will consume almost 20% of the nation's GDP by 2028.
6. Small improvements in surgical efficiency could save billions each year, but these potential savings aren't evenly distributed due to healthcare disparities.
7. Black patients receive significantly less screening for conditions like colorectal cancer, heart disease, and abdominal aortic aneurysms, leading to more emergency surgeries.
8. Emergency procedures cost an average of $13,645 more per patient, with Black patients facing an extra $15,552, Hispanics $14,525, and Asian/Pacific Islanders $16,887, compared to $13,086 for white patients.
9. This adds up to a potential $1.8 billion in yearly savings if just 10% of emergency procedures were converted to planned ones.
10. emergency surgeries were linked to higher mortality rates, complications, and longer hospital stays as well.
11. The authors call for targeted interventions to improve access to preventive care and screening programs, particularly in minority communities.
12. They suggest healthcare systems ramp up community health programs, improve insurance coverage for preventive services, and address social determinants of health that contribute to delayed care.
13. Policy makers need to reconsider current financing structures that may unintentionally penalize emergency care while potentially underinvesting in prevention.
14. Researchers recommend future studies examine specific interventions that have successfully reduced emergency surgery rates and their cost-effectiveness across different populations.
15. Dr. Saad Mallick, study author from UCLA, stated that the figures show real people and families grappling with significant financial and health issues due to unequal access to preventive care.
16. Mallick emphasized that these are largely preventable costs, as we know how to screen for aneurysms, heart disease, and colorectal cancer.
17. The question is whether we have the grit to ensure all Americans have access to these essential services.
18. The study titled "Race-Based Disparities in Clinical and Financial Outcomes Associated with Major Elective and Emergent Surgery" was published in Surgery Open Science.
19. The research team included members from UCLA's Center for Advanced Surgical & Interventional Technology, the University of Colorado in Denver, and other institutions.
20. Peyman Benharash, a study author, discloses a relationship with AtriCure Inc. that includes consulting or advisory.
21. Economists have linked medical debt to underinsurance and lack of insurance, disproportionately affecting low-income, Black, and Hispanic Americans.
22. Medical debt can limit access to necessary care and exacerbate healthcare disparities.
23. Experts suggest more extensive coverage of preventive care services can help reduce healthcare disparities.
24. Sexual health is an essential aspect of overall health and wellness, but many individuals lack access to affordable and comprehensive sexual health services and education.
25. Chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer continue to be leading causes of death and disability worldwide, increasing the demand for effective therapies and treatments.
26. Skin care is important for maintaining healthy skin, preventing skin conditions, and preserving a youthful appearance, making it a crucial aspect of personal and professional well-being.
27. Fitness and exercise play a pivotal role in maintaining cardiovascular health, managing weight, and promoting mental health.
28. Eye health is essential to overall well-being, as poor vision can impact daily activities, learning, and employment opportunities.
29. Hearing loss is a common issue affecting millions of Americans, particularly as they age, impacting their overall quality of life and ability to communicate effectively.
30. Aging brings about various changes in the body, affecting digestive health, eye health, skin care, and sexual health, among others.
31. Workplace wellness initiatives focus on promoting health and well-being in workplaces, addressing issues such as health-related behaviors, workplace stressors, and access to healthcare resources.
32. Governments, nonprofits, and businesses are investing in industry solutions for health and wellness, mental health, aging, chronic diseases, and fitness and exercise, among others, to improve population health.

Read also: