It’s a financial and human disaster.
New York’s health-care system is paying a staggering $24 billion a year to help cover sky-high hospital and emergency costs for “preventable” illnesses suffered by minority patients, The Post has learned.
State Health Commissioner Dr. Nirav Shah said the minority communities are not at fault — he blames a shortage of doctors and a lack of preventive care in their neighborhoods.
The maladies and diseases include asthma, diabetes, obesity, HIV, depression, high blood pressure and other heart-related ailments.
Shah, who called the situation tragic, announced the jaw-dropping figure during a presentation to his department’s minority health council.
“Excess rates of preventable illnesses for blacks and Hispanics alone cost New York state $24 billion a year,” Shah said.
The problem is compounded by other societal and cultural woes — such as poor nutrition, fewer recreational options, lack of exercise and higher crime rates, he said.
“Health disparities severely hinder economic development in minority communities and have a negative consequence for the economy at large,” said Shah, adding that the human impact is even more devastating.
The Health Department also updated its annual report highlighting medical disparities. Among the sobering findings:
* Diabetes deaths: Blacks have a 62 percent higher mortality rate than Hispanics, twice the rate of whites and three times that of Asians.
* Asthma deaths: Black and Hispanic mortality rates are four times higher than those of whites and 13 times higher than Asians.
* Infant mortality: The rate for black babies is 10.9 per 1,000, more than double the 4.2 rate for whites and 4.5 rate for Hispanics.
Providing minority and immigrant communities with better, routine medical care by neighborhood doctors — coupled with other quality-of-life improvements — would save the state billions of dollars, bolster care and curb inequities, health officials said.
“We can reduce hospitalization through prevention and help people better manage their chronic conditions,” said Yvonne Graham, associate commissioner for minority health.
As part of its Medicaid overhaul, the state is shifting more dollars toward primary care and wellness programs to reduce reliance on pricey hospital care. And it has improved translation services.
Shah said it takes such an approach to improve health — particularly for youths. And that’s why the minority council includes representation from officials in law enforcement, mental health, economic development, parks and education.
For example, he said, schools could play a crucial role in cutting obesity by making their gym facilities available when school is not in session.
“Our ability to develop a sustainable 21st century health-care system depends on reducing and ultimately eliminating disparities . . . We have the tools at our disposal,” he said.