Mary Cushman, M.D.

(DECEMBER 10, 2022) Trial investigator Mary Cushman, M.D., professor of medicine, presented study findings on social determinants of health [SDOH] and pulmonary embolism treatment and mortality at the 64th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting December 10-13 in New Orleans, Pharmacy Times reported. “The groups at highest risk of dying in the hospital were Hispanic individuals, Pacific Islanders, and people of other races," she said. "They had between a 10% to 53% greater odds of dying in the hospital.” To understand the impact of SDOH on the treatment of patients, investigators studied the associations between hospital management, in-hospital mortality, and their relationship with SDOH, including race and ethnicity, type of primary payer, income, and type of advanced therapy given. Socioeconomic status, race, and ethnicity are all SDOH that, in the United States, can contribute to increased adverse health outcomes and mortality, Cushman explained.

The study findings were also reported in a MedPage Today story titled “Black Patients Less Likely to Get Advanced Treatments for PE - Also Less Likely for Patients on Medicare and Medicaid.”

This research was also covered in the American Journal of Managed Care and the ASCO Post.