What is the reason medical providers and hospitals list your race on your records?

Question

I am mixed race but I look 100% white.  I am basically half black and half white though my DNA test show 40% European, 40% African and 20% Native American.  For most of my life I identified myself as mixed race although for people who didn't know me, they were usually surprised to find out I was not 100% white.

However, for the last 10 years of so I started identifying as only white.  If people ask me my race I say white.  I don't lie though, if some starts asking me about my actual background and they seem to want to know more then I do say I am interracial.  However, whenever I go to a new medical provider, they don't even ask, they just automatically put down "white".

I was in the hospital ER a few weeks ago and again, they didn't ask, they listed white on my files.  Personally, I really don't care and I am sort of flattered since I identify as white more than anything else.  I know we are all human beings but do certain medications or treatments work better for some races than others?  Is it possible they could give me something that affects black people adversely because they think I am all white?

Or are they just asking for your race for some type of statistical or identification purposes.

Lili · Accepted Answer

You may not be aware, but different ethnic groups are subject to different health problems. Your doctors really need to know if you look white but have significant, say, African (northern or sub-Saharan) or Mediterranean or Asian ancestry.

And Native American/Amerindian matters, too.Yes, oddly, it has been found that some medications work better in some groups than in others.  That's not widely true so far, but as more testing is done, it may be found that more drugs have that effect.

Mandy · Answer

You are kidding, right?  There are some diseases and health issues that are more common or prevalent in some races than others.

armouror2000 · Answer

In Australia, we Give Preference to Aboriginals and Torris Streight Islanders

garry · Answer

its to see if your suspected of any disease , blacks get diabetis easier , europeans get chlolestrestrol problems and asians get a peanut and lactose allergy thats why

fredda · Answer

Racism of course.

Tarkarri · Answer

Mainly because some diseases and conditions present differently or react differently or are more prevalent in different ethnic groups. Particularly important to be as accurate as possible during the diagnostic process.
Also can affect government funding in some areas, particularly if you are of indigenous descent.

Anonymous · Answer

there are medical conditions associated with specific races and ethnic backgrounds....medically you should always ID as your bio race

A Hunch · Answer

Sure, there are lost of things that are impacted by race.
Blacks are more susceptible to covid.
Red heads are more sensitive to anesthesia.
Whites have ALS at a disproportionate rate.

and on and on and on.

Pearl · Answer

maybe theyre just keeping track of it

What is the reason medical providers and hospitals list your race on your records?

9 Answers