Hispanic and African American adult brain tumor patients treated at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center compared to Los Angeles County and Torrance, California

The objective of this study is to shed light on racial disparities among Hispanic and African American adult brain tumor patients treated at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center compared to the general populations of Los Angeles County (LAC) and Torrance, California (CA). A retrospective review of patients admitted to the neurosurgery service at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center during years 2006 through 2010 was performed. Government census data was queried and pertinent national statistics were retrieved. Brain tumor patients at Harbor-UCLA were compared to the general populations of LAC and Torrance. A total of 271 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 46.9 years. Hispanics comprised the majority of neurosurgical patients (n = 151, 55.7%), followed by African Americans (n = 35, 12.9%). A greater percentage of Hispanic patients were treated at Harbor-UCLA relative to the general Hispanic populations of LAC and Torrance (p <.001). A greater percentage of African American patients were treated at Harbor-UCLA relative to the general African American populations of LAC and Torrance (p =.035 and p <.001, respectively). Our data revealed significant racial disparities amid the Harbor-UCLA Hispanic and African American patient populations compared to the general Angeleno populations of LAC and Torrance.