(1185) Racial and Regional Disparities in Patients Hospitalized With Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure

Introduction: Racial and regional disparities in healthcare outcomes have been a persistent concern in the United States. This study focuses on understanding these disparities among patients hospitalized with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF).

Methods: Data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) spanning from 2016 to 2020 were utilized to identify adult patients discharged with AHRF as either a primary or secondary diagnosis. Patient and hospital characteristics were analyzed, and multivariate logistic regression was employed to investigate the relationship between race/ethnicity, region, and specified outcomes.

Results: Approximately 9,600,000 hospitalizations for AHRF were identified during the study period, with significant regional variation observed: 15.8% in the Northeast, 24.4% in the Midwest, 38.6% in the South, and 21.2% in the West (P < 0.001). Demographically, 70.1% were White, 14.2% Black, 9.8% Hispanic, 2.5% Asian or Pacific Islander, 0.8% Native American, and 2.6% belonged to other racial categories. Compared to White patients, all other racial groups showed higher odds of mortality: Black (OR 1.05, P < 0.001), Hispanic (OR 1.1, P < 0.001), Asian or Pacific Islander (OR 1.3, P < 0.001), Native American (OR 1.3, P < 0.001), and other races (OR 1.3, P < 0.001). Regional differences in mortality were also evident, with the Midwest exhibiting lower odds compared to the Northeast (OR 0.7, P < 0.001), and the South (OR 0.9, P < 0.001) and West (OR 0.8, P < 0.001) showing intermediate odds.

Conclusions: This study highlights substantial racial and regional disparities in outcomes among patients hospitalized with AHRF in the United States. Minority racial groups consistently experience higher mortality rates compared to White patients, underscoring the need for targeted interventions and policies to mitigate these disparities and ensure equitable healthcare delivery.