Developing a Framework for Understanding and Addressing Disparities in Trauma

Purpose of Review The purpose of this review is to highlight factors that contribute to disparities in care delivered to patients after traumatic injury and to discuss efforts underway to reduce the impact of these disparities. Recent Findings Significant differences exist in trauma morbidity and mortality among different patient populations. We provide a framework for evaluating disparities in trauma management at the patient, interpersonal, community, and societal levels before, during, and after traumatic injury. We also discuss interventions that address these factors and aim to improve outcomes after traumatic injury. Summary Traumatic injury can unmask financial, physical, and social instability in patient populations already at risk for significant instability and, in doing so, can result in worsened clinical outcomes for these patients. The better we understand factors contributing to these disparities, the better equipped we are to find ways to mitigate these factors to improve outcomes.