NPR's Jon Hamilton reports on a new study, which shows no differences along racial lines in the outcome of medical or surgical treatments among veterans. Other studies have shown wide disparities in health care between African-Americans and Caucasians, in particular. These studies often suggest that socioeconomic differences and access to health care are the main causes for higher disease and death rates among the black population as a whole. The new study suggests that when all things are equal, African-American men actually have a lower rate of disease and death, relative to whites.
Copyright 2001 NPR