Black Americans expect to face racism in the doctor's office, survey finds

People of color who have a doctor who looks like them report more satisfaction with their health care. Here, Abel Woldu and Dr. Kelsey Angell participate in the University of Minnesota's white coat ceremony in 2022. Half of that incoming class of doctors-in-training are people of color. (Anthony Souffle/Star Tribune via Getty Images)

Many people of color in this country say they have to change the way they dress and mentally brace themselves for potential mistreatment when they visit the doctor. That's one of the sobering findings of a large new survey that probes the extent and implications of discrimination in American life, including health care.

The survey was conducted by the health research organization KFF. Researchers polled a nationally representative sample of nearly 6,300 adults.