Disparities and Differential Allocation of Nutritional Therapies

Disparities in malnutrition often exist prior to hospitalization or illness. These disparities may compound unjust negative health outcomes. This review discusses disparities seen in those diagnosed with malnutrition as well as describes the existing, while sparse, findings of differential allocation of nutritional therapies both in the inpatient and outpatient setting.

Malnutrition affects up to half of hospitalized patients in the US and a fourth of community-dwelling US patients. Malnutrition leads to worse clinical and surgical outcomes. The use of nutritional support leads to meaningful differences in clinical outcomes. Nutritional disparities exist based on race, sex, income, insurance-status, geographic location, and age.

Despite repeated published findings of nutritional disparities, it is unclear if these disparities continue within the hospital or lead to differential allocation of nutritional therapies. Ongoing investigation and characterization of the disparities relevant to this issue are necessary.