Health disparities

Abstract

Disparities in health have been a focus of intensive research for the last three to four decades, with the primary aim being the elimination of such disparities. The Healthy People initiative of the US Department of Health and Human Services is an exemplar of efforts to eliminate health disparities. Similar efforts have been aided by increasingly enhanced definitions of health disparities, with many researchers viewing the term as an inclusive one involving disparities associated with race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, education, health insurance, geography, physical environment, disability status, and other criteria. This chapter demonstrates that disparities are indeed associated with all of these social factors, with many of the disparities directly affecting health outcomes and the risk of incurring detrimental health conditions. Accordingly, understanding and attempting to reduce health disparities are critical endeavors with policy implications and practical health consequences. These endeavors must be led by medical students and healthcare practitioners alike, as both groups are in a distinct position to implement policies and programs to reduce and ultimately eliminate health disparities.