Applying a health equity lens to better understand end-of-life prognostication

Applying a health equity lens to better understand end-of-life prognostication
AMA Journal of Ethics; by Newsha Nikzad, Joelle Robertson-Preidler, Faith E. Fletcher; 10/24
Racial and ethnic inequity exists throughout the lifespan, including at the end of life (EOL). Although prognostication is inherently fraught with uncertainty, many underrepresented minorities get prognoses that are overly optimistic, which can exacerbate inequity by depriving patients of details needed to make informed decisions and plan for EOL care. This article applies a health equity lens to facilitate better ethical and clinical understandings of how to care for patients of color more equitably at the EOL.