Researchers are struggling to make sense of recent studies on racial differences in medical treatment. This is in light of statistics showing a higher percentage of heart-related illness among black Americans, as compared to white Americans. Scientists have explored the medical and social factors that may explain the disparities in medical care.

In the United States, studies have shown that some racial and ethnic groups fare better during the course of the disease, that ethnic groups respond differently to some treatments, and that some ethnic groups tend to be diagnosed later in their diseases than others. This issue is of particular concern to black Americans, who tend to lag behind white Americans and other ethnic groups in their access and reliance on prompt medical care.