ABSTRACT
This chapter will explore diversity and intersectionality as well as the evolving definitions of family regarding provision of palliative and hospice care internationally. Many disparities in receiving palliative and hospice care have been persistently identified across various intersections of group membership. To gain a comprehensive understanding of such disparities, this chapter further explores possible barriers that may prevent various groups from accessing palliative and hospice care, and preferences that may discourage them from seeking such care even when they have access to the service. Barriers and preferences are culturally dependent and, thus, vary by demographic and geographic context and stem from the intersection of many social, cultural, and economic determinants. The swiftly changing demographics and increasing diversity of many countries, including the United States, necessitate greater knowledge of what interventions work best for various cultural groups. Providers helping familial caregivers or care partners and patients near the end of life would benefit from practicing in a culturally competent manner that emphasizes person-centeredness and avoids making assumptions about the relationship of the care partner and patient or the end-of-life care preferences of those involved.
