Cultural Beliefs May Keep Blacks From Hospice Care

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"Still, among my own patients I'm often asked that -- well, how much will it cost us?" she said.

Barrett's research also suggests that black Americans often consult at length with family and friends on end-of-life decisions, while white patients typically view these choices as something best left to the individual.

Still, racial disparities in hospice care have narrowed somewhat over the past decade, both experts said. "People are more open to the idea, so we are making some progress in that regard," Barrett noted.

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For her part, Johnson said notions of hospice may need to become more inclusive to draw in a wider range of patients. That could mean becoming more open to a broader range of attitudes on sickness and dying -- whatever the patent's race or ethnicity.

For example, allowing some amount of curative treatment into the hospice model might help, Johnson said.

"To allow people to receive good palliation while they are still receiving some cure-directed therapies -- that might make for a smoother transition that might be more attractive to African-Americans," she said.

More information

There's much more on hospice care at the Hospice Foundation of America.

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