• Mary E Morales and R Jason Yong.
• Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
• Pain Med. 2021 Feb 4; 22 (1): 75-90.

ObjectiveTo summarize the current literature on disparities in the treatment of chronic pain.MethodsWe focused on studies conducted in the United States and published from 2000 and onward. Studies of cross-sectional, longitudinal, and interventional designs were included.ResultsA review of the current literature revealed that an adverse association between non-White race and treatment of chronic pain is well supported. Studies have also shown that racial differences exist in the long-term monitoring for opioid misuse among patients suffering from chronic pain. In addition, a patient's sociodemographic profile appears to influence the relationship between chronic pain and quality of life. Results from interventional studies were mixed.ConclusionsDisparities exist within the treatment of chronic pain. Currently, it is unclear how to best combat these disparities. Further work is needed to understand why disparities exist and to identify points in patients' treatment when they are most vulnerable to unequal care. Such work will help guide the development and implementation of effective interventions.© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Academy of Pain Medicine. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

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