Addressing Systemic Racism in Nursing Homes: A Time for Action

Date of Review: July, 2021

Sloane PD, Yearby R, Konetzka RT, Li Y, Espinoza R, Zimmerman S. Addressing Systemic Racism in Nursing Homes: A Time for Action. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2021 Apr;22(4):886-892. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2021.02.023. Epub 2021 Mar 26. PMID: 33775548.

This is a very well-written position paper analyzing the current state of nursing home population in the Unites States. The authors highlight the disparities in nursing home quality for Black nursing home residents compared to White residents, based on upstream racial segregation and lower wealth for Blacks to pay for out of pocket costs for long term care. They also point out the gaps in the health care system, payment mechanisms, and health workforce factors, cumulatively creating an environment that disadvantages persons with less financial resources. The authors call for a comprehensive approach for eliminating systemic racism that fuels racial disparities for long term care and health outcomes for older adults.—Memoona Hasnain, MD