Addressing Racial Disparities in Bystander CPR

Cardiac emergencies can happen anywhere, and the survival of a victim often depends on the immediate response of a bystander. Learning CPR is a crucial skill that doubles or even triples a person’s chance of surviving cardiac arrest. Despite its life-saving potential, not everyone receives timely help. Disparities exist, particularly in Black and Hispanic communities, where bystander CPR is less frequently performed.

A recent 2023 American Heart Association (AHA) survey found growing confidence among Black and Hispanic individuals in learning and performing CPR, with the confidence rate among Black participants rising from 30% in 2021 to 44% in 2023, and a similar increase among Hispanic respondents. This progress is encouraging, but the fact remains that Black and Hispanic people are less likely to receive CPR from bystanders during emergencies, often due to a combination of factors such as socioeconomic barriers, lack of CPR training access, and lower awareness in these communities.

Bystander intervention is critical. According to the AHA, only 10% of people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of a hospital survive. Immediate action with CPR is often the key to bridging the gap until emergency services arrive. The survival chances for Black and Hispanic individuals, however, are disproportionately lower due to reduced CPR intervention.

To address this issue, continued efforts must focus on increasing CPR training and awareness across all communities. This includes providing more accessible CPR education, spreading awareness about Good Samaritan laws (which protect bystanders offering aid), and tackling hesitations about performing CPR incorrectly.

Learning CPR empowers individuals to save lives. By closing the disparities in who receives timely CPR, we can improve survival outcomes for everyone regardless of race or background.

Charnikka Terry, RN, is a certified CPR instructor passionate about empowering the community with essential life-saving skills. She offers engaging, informative, and fun CPR classes to individuals and groups alike. Contact her today to schedule your class and become a life-saver in your community.