{"id":7841,"date":"2023-12-21T12:58:27","date_gmt":"2023-12-21T17:58:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/%year%\/%monthnum%\/%day%\/5-facts-about-black-americans-and-health-care\/"},"modified":"2025-04-23T23:59:15","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T03:59:15","slug":"5-facts-about-black-americans-and-health-care","status":"publish","type":"short-read","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2023\/12\/21\/5-facts-about-black-americans-and-health-care\/","title":{"rendered":"5 facts about Black Americans and health care\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-640-wide\"><img decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_feature-jpg.webp?w=640\" alt=\"Patient having physical therapy in hospital.\" class=\"wp-image-446062\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Andersen Ross Photography Inc\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More Black Americans say health outcomes for Black people in the United States have improved over the past 20 years than say outcomes have worsened, according to a <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/science\/2022\/04\/07\/black-americans-views-about-health-disparities-experiences-with-health-care\/\">2021 Pew Research Center survey<\/a>. A majority of Black adults also say that their most recent experiences with the health care system have been positive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the same time, though, Black Americans have broad structural concerns about health care in the U.S. and experience disparities in outcomes. For example, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kff.org\/infographic\/disparities-in-health-and-health-care-among-black-people\/\">mortality rates from cancer<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/tcf.org\/content\/report\/racism-inequality-health-care-african-americans\/\">maternal mortality rates<\/a> are higher among Black Americans than White Americans.<\/p>\n\n\n<div style=\"border-width:1px;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);--block-gap: inherit\" class=\"wp-block-prc-block-collapsible has-background has-ui-beige-very-light-background-color has-border-color has-ui-beige-dark-border-color\" id=\"how-we-did-this\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/collapsible&quot;}\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;collapsibleId&quot;:&quot;how-we-did-this&quot;,&quot;isOpen&quot;:false}\" data-wp-class--is-open=\"context.isOpen\" data-wp-init--scroll-into-view=\"callbacks.onInitScrollIntoView\"><div class=\"wp-block-prc-block-collapsible__title\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.onClick\"><div>How we did this<\/div><button class=\"wp-block-prc-block-collapsible__icon\"><span data-wp-bind--hidden=\"context.isOpen\"><i class=\"icon icon-library__light icon__circle-plus\"><svg style=\"width: 1em; height: 1em;\"><use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/plugins\/prc-icon-library\/build\/icons\/sprites\/light.svg#circle-plus\"><\/use><\/svg><\/i><\/span><span data-wp-bind--hidden=\"!context.isOpen\" hidden><i class=\"icon icon-library__light icon__circle-minus\"><svg style=\"width: 1em; height: 1em;\"><use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/plugins\/prc-icon-library\/build\/icons\/sprites\/light.svg#circle-minus\"><\/use><\/svg><\/i><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-prc-block-collapsible__content\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pew Research Center conducted this analysis to highlight Black Americans\u2019 attitudes about and experiences with health care. We surveyed 14,497 U.S. adults from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12, 2021, including 3,546 Black adults (inclusive of those who identify as single-race, multiracial and Black Hispanic).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The survey was conducted on the Center\u2019s American Trends Panel (ATP) and included an oversample of Black and Hispanic adults from the Ipsos KnowledgePanel. Respondents on both panels are recruited through national, random sampling of residential addresses. This way nearly all U.S. adults have a chance of selection. The survey is weighted to be representative of the U.S. adult population by gender, race, ethnicity, partisan affiliation, education and other categories. Read more about the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/our-methods\/u-s-surveys\/the-american-trends-panel\/\">ATP\u2019s methodology<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are the <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/science\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2022\/04\/PS_2022.04.07_Black-Americans-and-science_TOPLINE.pdf\">survey\u00a0questions used for this analysis<\/a>, along with responses, and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/science\/2022\/04\/07\/black-americans-and-science-methodology\/\">its\u00a0methodology<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This study was informed by a group of advisers with expertise related to Black and Hispanic Americans\u2019 attitudes and experiences in science, health, STEM education and other areas. Pew Research Center remains solely responsible for all aspects of the research, including any errors associated with its products and findings.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are five key facts about Black Americans\u2019 attitudes about and experiences with health care, based on the 2021 Center survey:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-has-big-number wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Black Americans\u2019 recent experiences with the U.S. health care system are mainly positive.<\/strong> About six-in-ten Black adults (61%) say the care they received most recently was either excellent (25%) or very good (36%), and another 25% say it was good. And about half (51%) say their out-of-pocket cost for that care was \u201cabout what is fair.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-640-wide is-resized\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-9246\" href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2023\/12\/21\/5-facts-about-black-americans-and-health-care\/sr_23-12-21_black-adult-hc_1-png\/\"><img data-dominant-color=\"d8e0e8\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 420px) 100vw, 420px\" height=\"770\" width=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_1.png?w=640\" alt=\"A chart showing that a majority of Black adults give positive ratings to the quality of health care they\u2019ve received most recently.\" class=\"wp-image-9246 not-transparent\" style=\"--dominant-color: #d8e0e8; width:420px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_1.png 840w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_1.png?resize=250,300 250w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_1.png?resize=768,923 768w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_1.png?resize=337,405 337w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_1.png?resize=200,240 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_1.png?resize=260,313 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_1.png?resize=310,373 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_1.png?resize=420,505 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_1.png?resize=640,770 640w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_1.png?resize=740,890 740w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_1.png?resize=160,192 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_1.png?resize=320,385 320w\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, these views vary by income. Around three-quarters of upper-income Black adults (73%) describe their most recent care as excellent or very good, compared with 66% of those with middle incomes and 55% of those with lower incomes. And 67% of upper-income Black adults say the out-of-pocket cost of their care was about fair, compared with 46% of Black adults with lower incomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-has-big-number wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Still, a majority of Black adults (55%) say they\u2019ve had at least one negative interaction with doctors or other health care providers.<\/strong> For example, four-in-ten say they have had to speak up to get proper care, making it the most common type of negative interaction we asked about in our 2021 survey. About a third say that their pain has not been taken seriously (35%) or that their provider has rushed them (32%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-640-wide is-resized\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-9251\" href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2023\/12\/21\/5-facts-about-black-americans-and-health-care\/sr_23-12-21_black-adult-hc_2-png\/\"><img data-dominant-color=\"dce2ea\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 420px) 100vw, 420px\" height=\"864\" width=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_2.png?w=640\" alt=\"A bar chart showing that 40% of Black adults say they\u2019ve had to speak up to get proper medical care.\" class=\"wp-image-9251 not-transparent\" style=\"--dominant-color: #dce2ea; width:420px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_2.png 840w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_2.png?resize=222,300 222w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_2.png?resize=768,1037 768w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_2.png?resize=759,1024 759w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_2.png?resize=300,405 300w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_2.png?resize=200,270 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_2.png?resize=260,351 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_2.png?resize=310,419 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_2.png?resize=420,567 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_2.png?resize=640,864 640w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_2.png?resize=740,999 740w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_2.png?resize=160,216 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_2.png?resize=320,432 320w\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Black Americans\u2019 responses on these questions don\u2019t differ dramatically from those of U.S. adults overall. For instance, 41% of all adults say they have had to speak up to get proper care, and 32% say their pain has not been taken seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-has-big-number wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Among Black Americans, younger women are the most likely to say they\u2019ve had negative experiences with health care providers.<\/strong> For instance, 52% of Black women ages 18 to 49 say they have had to speak up to get proper care. That compares with 40% of Black women 50 and older, 36% of Black men 50 and older, and 29% of Black men 18 to 49.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-640-wide is-resized\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-9255\" href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2023\/12\/21\/5-facts-about-black-americans-and-health-care\/sr_23-12-21_black-adult-hc_3-png\/\"><img data-dominant-color=\"f1f1f1\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 420px) 100vw, 420px\" height=\"779\" width=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_3.png?w=640\" alt=\"A dot plot showing that younger Black women more likely to say they\u2019ve had negative health care experiences.\" class=\"wp-image-9255 not-transparent\" style=\"--dominant-color: #f1f1f1; width:420px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_3.png 840w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_3.png?resize=247,300 247w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_3.png?resize=768,934 768w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_3.png?resize=333,405 333w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_3.png?resize=200,243 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_3.png?resize=260,316 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_3.png?resize=310,377 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_3.png?resize=420,511 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_3.png?resize=640,779 640w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_3.png?resize=740,900 740w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_3.png?resize=160,195 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_3.png?resize=320,389 320w\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Overall, 71% of Black women ages 18 to 49 say they\u2019ve had at least one negative interaction with a health care provider, compared with 54% of Black women 50 and older, 51% of Black men 50 and older, and 43% of Black men ages 18 to 49. (Women were asked about a total of seven experiences, including one relating to women\u2019s health, while men were asked about six experiences. The differences by age and gender remain when analyzing only the six experiences asked of both men and women.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Younger Black women are also the most likely to say that they would prefer to see a Black provider and <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/science\/2022\/04\/07\/black-americans-views-of-and-engagement-with-science\/ps_2022-04-07_black-americans-science_03-09\/\">that a Black provider is better than other providers<\/a> at looking out for their interests and giving them the highest-quality care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-has-big-number wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Black Americans cite a lack of access to high-quality medical care as the top reason Black people generally have worse health outcomes than other people. <\/strong>More than six-in-ten Black adults (63%) say having less access to care is a major reason for these disparities, and another 22% say it\u2019s a minor reason. Research has shown that there tend to be fewer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3416972\/\">primary care physicians<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6484639\/\">trauma centers<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/healthpolicy.usc.edu\/article\/pharmacy-deserts-disproportionately-affect-black-and-latino-residents-in-largest-u-s-cities\/\">pharmacies<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.beckershospitalreview.com\/public-health\/black-americans-more-likely-to-live-in-vaccine-deserts-pitt-study-finds.html\">COVID-19 vaccination centers<\/a> near where Black Americans live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-640-wide is-resized\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-9259\" href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2023\/12\/21\/5-facts-about-black-americans-and-health-care\/sr_23-12-21_black-adult-hc_4-png\/\"><img data-dominant-color=\"cfd7de\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 420px) 100vw, 420px\" height=\"777\" width=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_4.png?w=640\" alt=\"A horizontal stacked bar chart showing that Black adults attribute health inequities to less access to quality care, range of other reasons.\" class=\"wp-image-9259 not-transparent\" style=\"--dominant-color: #cfd7de; width:420px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_4.png 840w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_4.png?resize=247,300 247w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_4.png?resize=768,933 768w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_4.png?resize=334,405 334w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_4.png?resize=200,243 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_4.png?resize=260,316 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_4.png?resize=310,376 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_4.png?resize=420,510 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_4.png?resize=640,777 640w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_4.png?resize=740,899 740w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_4.png?resize=160,194 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/12\/SR_23.12.21_black-adult-hc_4.png?resize=320,389 320w\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">About half or more of Black adults also point to several other factors as major reasons Black Americans tend to experience worse health outcomes. For example, 52% say a major reason is that Black people live in communities with more environmental problems, and 51% say a major reason is that Black people are more likely to have preexisting health conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Black adults with higher levels of education are more likely than those with lower levels of education to identify these and several other factors as major reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-has-big-number wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Most Black Americans say it doesn\u2019t make a difference to them whether they see a Black health care provider.<\/strong> More than six-in-ten (64%) say this. But 31% would prefer a Black provider, including 14% who would <em>strongly<\/em> prefer this. Only 4% would prefer <em>not<\/em> to see a Black provider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are no major differences in these views depending on whether Black Americans have seen a Black health care provider in the past. The share of Black adults who prefer a Black health care provider is similar among those who have previously visited one (32%) and those who have not (30%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, Black providers are underrepresented in medicine, potentially making it difficult for those who prefer a Black provider to find and book an appointment. <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/science\/2021\/04\/01\/diversity-in-stem-appendix\/\">Just 5% of physicians and surgeons nationwide are Black<\/a>, and the same is true for physician assistants. Overall, Black Americans account for about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.census.gov\/quickfacts\/\">14% of the nation\u2019s population<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Note: Here are the <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/science\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2022\/04\/PS_2022.04.07_Black-Americans-and-science_TOPLINE.pdf\"><em>survey questions used for this analysis<\/em><\/a><em>, along with responses, and <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/science\/2022\/04\/07\/black-americans-and-science-methodology\/\"><em>its methodology<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>More Black Americans say health outcomes for Black people in the United States have improved over the past 20 years than say outcomes have worsened.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":658,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"sub_headline":"","sub_title":"","_crdt_document":"","_prc_public_revisions":[],"apple_news_api_created_at":"2023-12-21T17:58:39Z","apple_news_api_id":"dc820290-9860-49ed-a027-a5487830c975","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2023-12-21T17:58:39Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAD\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/w==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/apple.news\/A3IICkJhgSe2gJ6VIeDDJdQ","apple_news_cover_media_provider":"image","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_cover_video_id":0,"apple_news_cover_video_url":"","apple_news_cover_embedwebvideo_url":"","apple_news_is_hidden":"","apple_news_is_paid":"","apple_news_is_preview":"","apple_news_is_sponsored":"","apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"relatedPosts":[],"_prc_fork_parent":0,"_prc_fork_status":"","_prc_active_fork":0,"datacite_doi":"","datacite_doi_citation":"","_prc_seo_qr_attachment_id":0,"spoken_article_player_enabled":true,"footnotes":""},"categories":[149,106,267],"bylines":[957,578,929],"collection":[],"datasets":[],"_post_visibility":[],"formats":[467],"_fund_pool":[],"languages":[],"regions-countries":[515],"research-teams":[523,518],"class_list":["post-7841","short-read","type-short-read","status-publish","hentry","category-black-americans","category-health-care","category-medicine-health","bylines-alec-tyson","bylines-jenn-hatfield","bylines-mark-hugo-lopez","formats-short-read","regions-countries-united-states","research-teams-race-and-ethnicity","research-teams-science"],"label":"Short 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