Global research reveals persistent racial disparities in pain management, affecting minority patients from childhood through end-of-life care.
Evidence indicates that minority individuals often must demonstrate higher pain levels before receiving attention and frequently receive less effective treatment.
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Disparities in Pediatric Pain Management
A 2024 University of Delaware study examined how racial bias affects interpretation of children's pain.
Using computer-generated images of children's faces with varying distress levels, researchers found pain was less readily perceived on Black boys' faces compared to White boys.
Participants required stronger expressions of pain from Black boys before identifying it.
Those less likely to perceive pain in Black children were also less inclined to recommend appropriate treatment.
A 2020 study led by Monika Goyal of Children's National Hospital in Washington analyzed racial disparities among children with long-bone fractures in US emergency departments.
Minority children frequently received non-opioid analgesics like paracetamol and ibuprofen but were less likely to be prescribed opioids.
"When looking at optimal pain reduction, minority children were more likely to be discharged home in significant pain compared with their white counterparts," Dr Goyal said.
The study adjusted for injury severity and pain intensity.
Other pediatric studies confirm the trend.
One investigation found Black children with appendicitis were 80% less likely to receive opioids for severe pain than White children.
A 2024 University College London study found Black children faced four times greater risk of complications after surgery, including severe pain.
