What are health disparities?
Health disparities are defined as differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and burden of diseases and other adverse health conditions that exist among specific population groups in the United States when compared to non-Hispanic whites. Specific population groups are identified as African Americans, Asian and Asian Pacific Islanders, Hispanic and Latino, Native American, and Native Alaskan. Medically underserved populations are defined as populations that have inadequate access to, or reduced utilization of high-quality health care. Included are low literacy, rural and low-income populations, including older minority women, geographically isolated women, lesbians, hearing and visually impaired women, physically or mentally disabled women, migrant workers, immigrant and refugee women, and language minority women.
For the latest news, information, and research on Latino health disparities, view the IHPR’s research reports or visit our blog.
For more information on other health disparities, visit the National Cancer Institute’s Center to Reduce Health Disparities at http://crchd.cancer.gov.