Caring for the Elderly in Trauma (Racism, Equity, and Disparities in Trauma)

To describe racial and ethnic disparities in trauma care and outcomes among older adults.

Compared to their younger counterparts, older adults have worse outcomes after trauma. Recent studies have investigated if there are differences in trauma care and outcomes for minoritized older adults.

Trauma systems are caring for increasing numbers of older adults. Disparities in trauma care exist for older adults of racial and ethnic minorities. The root causes of these disparities are related to social and structural determinants of health. Reduction of disparities across racial and ethnic groups in older adults should focus on modifiable healthcare factors such as access to care and quality of care [1].