DEIBXXEM2424 - CME/CMLE - Health Disparities among Incarcerated Populations: A Crucial Laboratory and Pathology Review-Health Disparities among Incarcerated Populations: A Crucial Laboratory and Pathology Review

Health Disparities among Incarcerated Populations: A Crucial Laboratory and Pathology Review

Pdf Summary

The article "Health Disparities Among Incarcerated Populations: A Crucial Laboratory and Pathology Review" by Diane Price Banks et al., published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society for Clinical Pathology, explores the significant health disparities experienced by incarcerated and recently released individuals, particularly in terms of access to diagnostic laboratory and pathology services.<br /><br />Incarcerated individuals face heightened risks of both communicable and noncommunicable diseases, leading to higher morbidity and mortality rates. They often endure poor health conditions exacerbated by systemic issues such as inadequate healthcare funding, limited access to disease screening, and insufficient medical resources within carceral facilities. The study delves into the challenges of diagnosing and treating chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease, which are more prevalent among incarcerated populations than in the general public.<br /><br />The researchers performed a literature review from sources dated between 2002 and 2023, focusing on keywords such as "healthcare," "incarcerated," and "laboratory services." Their findings underscore the urgent need for better funding and systemic changes to guarantee equitable healthcare access for incarcerated individuals, with a particular emphasis on preventive care and timely diagnostic testing.<br /><br />Several critical areas, such as violence, death, cancer screenings, and pregnancy care, present substantial risks. For instance, cancer diagnosis among incarcerated people often occurs at later stages, resulting in worse outcomes than among the general population. Additionally, pregnant women in jails face higher risks due to poor prenatal care and harsh conditions during labor.<br /><br />The study advocates for policy reforms, including the adoption of the Transitions Clinic model to ensure continuous healthcare post-incarceration and reforming the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy to allow inmates to receive Medicaid benefits during their prerelease periods. It also recommends rigorous autopsy standards for deaths in custody and expanding pathology and laboratory medicine training to address carceral health disparities.<br /><br />Conclusively, enhancing healthcare funding and access, reforming institutional practices, and implementing targeted policy changes are critical to improving the health outcomes for this vulnerable population.

Keywords

health disparities

incarcerated populations

diagnostic services

chronic diseases

preventive care

policy reforms

Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy

Transitions Clinic model

prenatal care

pathology training