AANS Beyond 2021: Scientific Papers Collection-The Impact of Socioeconomics and Race on Access to Neurosurgical Care in the United States: A workforce Perspective

The Impact of Socioeconomics and Race on Access to Neurosurgical Care in the United States: A workforce Perspective

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this video, Sidisha Pereira presents their research on the relationship between socioeconomics, race, and the distribution of neurosurgical workforce in the United States. They highlight the variation in access to neurosurgical care across the country and the importance of an adequately distributed physician workforce. The study examines the correlation between neurosurgeon workforce distribution and social determinants of health, using data from the Brookings Institute, CDC Wonder, and the Health Resource and Service Administration. It is found that areas with higher poverty rates, higher prime age employment rates, and higher proportions of Black residents have a greater number of neurosurgeons per capita. Conversely, higher proportions of Hispanic residents are associated with lower neurosurgeon density. The study calls for further investigation into the inequalities in access to neurosurgical care resulting from socioeconomic and racial disparities. Some limitations of the study include not accounting for population density and treatment center locations, referral patterns, and the need for subgroup analysis for specific subspecialties.

Keywords

socioeconomics

race

neurosurgical workforce

access to care

health disparities