Minority Patients Much More Likely to Die After Surgery, New Study Finds

Black and Hispanic patients are significantly more likely to die after surgery, a new study finds. Researchers warn that unless racial and ethnic disparities are addressed, preventable deaths among minorities will continue to occur.

The study reviewed more than 1.5 million procedures performed at U.S. hospitals between 2000 and 2020. It found that Black patients had a 42% higher risk of dying within 30 days after surgery compared to white patients, while Hispanic patients had a 21% higher risk.

According to the researchers, an estimated 12,000 Black and Hispanic lives could have been saved over the past two decades if there were no racial and ethnic disparities in surgical outcomes.

The lead author emphasized that beyond the statistics, odds ratios, and p-values, these findings represent real people—brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers. He stressed the importance of using these findings to convey the gravity of the issue to policymakers, healthcare professionals, and the general public.