Eight ways speech-language pathologists can contribute to health equity: the case of Black stroke survivors with aphasia.

Abstract

Background: Speech language pathologists (SLPs) play a vital role in service delivery in post stroke aphasia. However, SLPs can potentially perpetuate health disparities due to 1) a lack of training regarding social determinants of health and how they contribute to clinical outcomes and associated disparities and 2) a lack of understanding of the rapidly evolving research related to equity of service provision needed to reduce or eliminate health disparities.

Aims: This article provides recommendations for individual SLPs and the field more broadly to support health equity for people with aphasia and related disorders.

Methods and procedures: We considered evidence-based practices from general healthcare to promote health equity and identified opportunities to apply these practices in the SLP field, focusing on the literature on racial inequities in post-stroke aphasia as an illustrative example.

Outcome and results: Lack of diversity in the workforce, lack of training in health disparities and methods to promote health equity, and lack of representation in research may contribute to inequities in healthcare for people with aphasia and other communication disorders. We identified eight recommendations for SLPs to promote health equity for people with aphasia and other communication disorders.

Conclusions: SLPs should commit to a goal of equity in service delivery. This viewpoint provides actionable recommendations for clinicians, educators, and researchers, for promoting health equity for people with aphasia and related disorders.