Endoscopy COVID-19 testing requirements disproportionately impact medically underserved communities

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL (09/22/2022) — Published in Gastroenterology, a peer-reviewed commentary by University of Minnesota Medical School researchers found that medically underserved people (Black, American Indian/Alaska Native or Hispanic) are three times more likely to cancel their endoscopy related to issues with COVID-19 testing requirements.

“While well-intentioned, additional requirements for care often create barriers that are not equal across race,” said Elizabeth Aby, a University of Minnesota Medical School fellow.

The research team examined all consecutive canceled outpatient endoscopic procedures between March 1 and September 7, 2021, at the University of Minnesota Medical Center.

https://med.umn.edu/news-events/endoscopy-covid-19-testing-requirements-disproportionately-impact-medically-underserved-communities