Abstract
People who are Black and African American are at a substantial disadvantage when it comes to healthcare, and our current initiatives are insufficient. Rooted in systems of racism and inequality, healthcare disparities in the United States continue to be alarming. Among all racial or ethnic groups in the United States, adults who are Black or African American have the highest rates of mortality and are less likely to complete advance directives and engage in end-of-life planning. As life expectancy has increased among all races in the United States over recent decades, people who are Black or African American need the ability to have a quality end of life experience that is not a burden to themselves or their families. Further, minorities have less access to resources and a lack of knowledge about these resources available due to being displaced in lower income communities and restricted education regarding necessary end-of-life planning. Social workers must seek to understand factors around barriers to quality end-of-life preparation among this disadvantaged population in order to employ critical initiatives to reduce these healthcare disparities. The purpose of this systematic review is: 1) to explore the extent to which socioeconomic status (SES) impacts end-of-life care planning among people who are Black or African American; 2) to ascertain which key people are most involved (i.e., families, friends, healthcare providers); and 3) to identify specific barriers related to SES that might inform treatment planning and policy reform.
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
Social and Cultural Perspectives on Aging
KEYWORDS
Advance Care Planning, Aging, African Americans
