Excess mortality in Harlem

Article Abstract:

Although the death rate of whites continues to be lower than for nonwhites, the mortality rates for all Americans have fallen in a parallel manner since the 1930s. However, the rate of mortality in specific urban pockets, such as the New York neighborhood of Harlem, remains nearly unchanged. The mortality rate of this 96 percent black population is nearly double the rate of the white United States population and 50 percent greater than for the black population in general. This places the mortality rate of these areas at a level similar to Bangladesh, and in fact a male in Bangladesh has a greater chance of reaching 65 than a resident of Harlem. Most of this high death rate is assignable to deaths of individuals below the age of 65. The highest rate of excess deaths were among women between 25 and 34 and men between 35 and 44. A breakdown of the rate of excess death by cause is as follows: cardiovascular disease (23.5 percent); cirrhosis of the liver (17.9 percent); homicide (14.9 percent); and tumors (12.6 percent). The population of Harlem and 54 other areas of New York found to have similar mortality rates were largely nonwhite and extremely poor, made excessive use of the hospital emergency room, and had 74 percent fewer primary care physicians to care for them. Between 1960 and 1980 the infant mortality rate in these areas has decreased, but the mortality rate for individuals 25 to 65 has steadily risen. While this study identifies pockets of significantly increased mortality, it does not assign the reasons for these increases. The authors believe that this appalling situation must be dealt with in the same way that the country would deal with any other catastrophic disaster, and that action must be taken with similar dispatch. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Case studies, Mortality, Patient outcomes, African Americans, New York, Whites, Harlem, New York, New York, Urban health, New York (City)

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Racial injustice in health care

Article Abstract:

A study published in 2000 confirms that many ethnic minorities do not receive the same level of health care services as whites do. The researchers found that many pharmacies in black communities did not stock opioid drugs. These drugs are used to treat severe pain. -Many pharmacies said they were concerned about theft and people diverting drugs for illicit use. However, even in safe communities, pharmacies in predominantly black communities were still less likely to stock opioid drugs. Half the pharmacists said there was little demand for the drugs, which indicates doctors are not prescribing them.

Editorial, Analysis, Health, Health and race, Ethnic groups

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"We don't carry that" -- failure of pharmacies in predominantly nonwhite neighborhoods to stock opioid analgesics

Article Abstract:

Many New York City pharmacies do not carry enough opioid drugs to serve the needs of their communities. Researchers surveyed 30% of the pharmacies in New York City. They defined predominantly non-white neighborhoods as those with less than 40% white residents and predominantly white neighborhoods as those with at least 80% white residents. Seventy-two percent of pharmacies in white neighborhoods carried adequate opioid supplies compared to only 25% in the non-white neighborhoods.

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