Racial, Ethnic, and Gender Disparities in Valvular Heart Failure Management

Disparities in the prevalence and treatment of HF and VHD persist for Black, Hispanic, American Indian, and female patients. Black patients experi-ence the highest burden of HF. Women experience heightened burdens of VHD. Various factors contribute to the higher burden of HF and VHD in minoritized racial and ethnic groups and women that must be addressed by facing systemic racism and bias. Approaches necessary to reduce health disparities in HF and VHD should include consider-ations for universal health coverage, increased access to subspecialist care and screening, increased diverse trial participation, and antiracist evaluation of institutional policies.