Black Representation in The Fight against Multiple Myeloma.
In the U.S., African Americans are about 14% of the country’s population, but they constitute about 20% of all myeloma patients. And that incidence is actually growing. This is an enormous burden, considering 1 in every 5 patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma in the U.S. is African American.
According to Myeloma.org, it is predicted that by 2034, 1 of 4 myeloma patients will be of African descent, and 24% of the newly diagnosed myeloma population will be African American.
What disparities do African Americans with Myeloma face?
The Black community often sees disparities in receiving fewer transplants, needing more blood product transfusions, receiving fewer palliative care consultations, less inpatient chemotherapy, and more use of intensive care.
