A recent study published in Emerging Infectious Diseases reveals that non-White Lyme disease patients in the U.S. are more likely to be diagnosed at later stages of the illness compared to White patients.

Researchers analyzed Medicaid and Medicare claims data from 2016 to 2021 across 15 Lyme-endemic states and Washington, D.C.

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Key findings

• Disseminated disease (more widespread infection) was significantly more common among non-White patients.
• Black patients had the highest rates of late-stage Lyme disease:
  • 42.7% in older Black Medicare recipients
  • 39.1% in pediatric Black Medicaid recipients

The study authors also said, “We found that non-White persons were more likely than White persons to be female, hospitalized at diagnosis, diagnosed outside of primary care, diagnosed outside of the peak months for Lyme disease transmission, and have disseminated disease.”

Possible causes include the difficulty of recognizing Lyme’s hallmark rash on darker skin tones, which may contribute to delayed or missed diagnoses. Other factors may include differences in health literacy, access to care, and provider bias.

Late-stage Lyme disease is harder to treat and more likely to result in persistent symptoms. The findings underscore the need for more inclusive diagnostic practices and greater awareness among healthcare providers.

Click here to read details of the study.