NAACP Passes Resolution Urging Families to Educate Themselves and Take Action on End-of-Life Planning and Health Care

Resolution Notes African Americans Underutilize End-of-Life Options, Including Hospice & Palliative Care

Feb 1, 2022 end-of-life care NAACP resolution

Compassion & Choices praised the NAACP for passing a resolution at their annual meeting urging that families educate themselves on all aspects of end-of-life planning including advance healthcare directives, healthcare proxies and end-of-life options such as hospice and palliative care.  The resolution was amended and ratified by the NAACP National Board of Directors in October, 2021.

A Duke Divinity School survey noted that only 50% of African Americans have talked with family members about their end-of-life care and 20% have never discussed end-of-life wishes with anyone. The language in the resolution further notes that Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that African American patients underutilize end-of-life care options. 

The document as adopted concludes: “the NAACP shall be proactive in advocating for the education, consideration, and availability of all options when planning for the end of life … all Americans should chart their end of life journey consistent with their own wishes and values.”

“This resolution acknowledges the urgent need to educate our community about the importance of families discussing their end-of-life wishes and end-of-life health care options,” said NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson. “The NAACP believes African Americans should have access to all end-of-life care options, so each individual can decide which one is best for them, in consultation with their doctor, family, faith leader and support system.” 

“The COVID-19 pandemic, and the outsized impact it has had on Black Americans, has served as a reminder of the importance of having discussions with loved ones and planning before a health crisis occurs,” said Compassion & Choices President & CEO Kim Callinan. “We are grateful for the NAACP's work on this resolution and commitment to this important issue. It is a great step forward in ensuring everyone has the opportunity to express their end-of-life wishes and improve the chances those wishes are followed by their loved ones and medical providers.”

“We thank the NAACP for this pledge to help educate and empower the Black community about planning,” said Brandi Alexander, National Director of Community Engagement for Compassion & Choices. “Too often African Americans avoid these topics until it is too late. In my own family we never discussed this issue with my dad, and he suffered needlessly when he died because we did not know what kind of care he wanted, or didn’t want, in his final days.”

According to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Association, only 8% of hospice users are African American. Hospice care is a health service that provides comfort care to patients, in-home or at a facility, in their final phase of illness or within six months of death. Hospice offers an emphasis on patient support and the entire spectrum of improved quality of life.