Racial Gaps in Stroke Treatment: Who Gets Life-Saving Care?

Jasmine C

10 Dec 2025 — 1 min read

Doctor patient

What Did the Research Discover?

This study looked at racial differences in the use of mechanical thrombectomy (MT)—a procedure that removes blood clots from the brain in people experiencing a stroke. Researchers analyzed 889,309 stroke cases in U.S. hospitals between 2006 and 2014 and found that only 5,256 patients received MT.

The results showed that African American patients were significantly less likely to receive MT compared to Caucasian patients. Even after adjusting for factors like age, income, and hospital type, African Americans had 33% lower odds of getting MT than Caucasians. However, Hispanic patients received MT at rates similar to Caucasians.

The study also found that African American patients who did receive MT were younger (average age 60.5 years) than Caucasian (68.1 years) and Hispanic (65.9 years) patients. African American patients were also more likely to come from low-income backgrounds and to receive treatment at large, urban hospitals.

Over time, the use of MT increased nearly fourfold from 2006 to 2014, but the racial gap in access to this treatment remained.

How Can I Apply This Information?

This research shows a clear racial disparity in stroke treatment. While MT became the standard of care after 2015, the study suggests that African Americans were less likely to receive it before then, even though it can improve survival and recovery.

If you or a loved one has a stroke, seeking emergency care immediately is critical. Ask hospital staff about MT eligibility if it is an ischemic stroke. This study also highlights the need for continued efforts to ensure equal access to advanced stroke care for all patients, regardless of race or income.

Source:

Metcalf D, Zhang D. Racial and ethnic disparities in the usage and outcomes of ischemic stroke treatment in the United States. Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases. 2023 Dec 1;32(12):107393. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6970517/pdf/ethndis-30-91.pdf

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