Exploring Anticoagulant Prescription Disparities: A Focus on Hispanic Patient Care

Anticoagulants play a critical role in preventing thromboembolic events, yet disparities persist in their prescription among minority populations. This presentation explores inequities in anticoagulant prescribing patterns, with a specific focus on Hispanic patient care. Using retrospective electronic health record data, we analyzed the prescription rates of warfarin versus direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) among adults with clinical indications for anticoagulation. Our findings reveal that Hispanic patients are significantly less likely to receive DOACs compared to non-Hispanic White patients, even after adjusting for demographics, comorbidities, and insurance status. Contributing factors include language barriers, lack of insurance, and potential implicit bias in provider decision-making. These disparities not only reflect systemic inequities but also have direct implications for patient outcomes and safety. Addressing these gaps through culturally competent care, policy initiatives, and provider education is essential for promoting health equity in anticoagulant therapy and beyond.