A new study suggests that many doctors subscribe to stereotypes about African Americans, possibly preventing them from taking pain in black patients as seriously as that in white patients.

The study was prompted by previous studies that have shown that whites are more likely to be prescribed strong pain medication than blacks.

The survey, conducted by University of Virginia researchers, found that large percentages of white medical students and medical residents believed common myths about blacks relating to their ability to endure pain.

For instance, 40 percent of first year medical students believe that African Americans have thicker skin than whites. The percentage subscribing to that debunked claim was lower, but still disturbingly high among those more experienced in the medical field. A quarter of residents said they believed the statement.

Fortunately, the survey showed that only a small minority of medical residents expressed support for the 10 other pseudoscientific claims about African Americans presented in the poll. The two other claims were endorsed by more than 10 percent of residents: That African Americans age more slowly than whites (14 percent), and that they are better at detecting movement than whites (11 percent).

Still, the researchers argued that even small minorities of doctors who subscribe to junk science present serious implications to public health.

As the Washington Post points out, a 2000 study of an emergency department in Atland found that 74 percent of whites with bone fractures were given painkillers, compared to only half of blacks. Another study found that black children who reported severe pain after an appendectomy were significantly less likely than white children to be prescribed an opioid.

Of course, these days there is a big push to reduce prescriptions of opioids overall, largely in response to an addiction epidemic that has been particularly pronounced in rural, white communities.

Instant Insights /

Racial stereotypes influence what doctors prescribe

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