Results of a study reported in Science Daily was summarized thusly:

“Warning: Stereotypes may be harmful to patients’ health. An American national study has found people who encountered the threat of being judged by negative stereotypes related to weight, age, race, gender, or social class in health care settings were more likely to have hypertension, be depressed, and to rate their own health more poorly. They were also more distrustful of their doctors, felt dissatisfied with their care, and were less likely to use preventive care.