Promoting Diversity to Eliminate Health Disparities

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

10-2017

Abstract

From the introduction:

The terms health disparities and health inequities are often used interchangeably but actually refer to different measures. Disparities are differences in health outcomes among populations. Health inequities are the unfair and avoidable differences in health outcomes seen within and between populations that are often socially resolvable. Identification and awareness of the differences in health outcomes among populations are essential steps toward reducing disparities in communities at greatest risk. Health disparities in the United States persist even as the overall health of the country’s population has improved. These disparities are more apparent in minority populations, which are also underrepresented among physicians and physician assistants (PAs) including African American, Hispanic, and American Indian/Alaskan Native communities. Although many disparities are influenced by socioeconomic factors, numerous inequities are present regardless of insurance status or income level and include reduced access to care, lower quality of care, and decreased longevity.

DOI

10.1097/JPA.0000000000000155

PMID

28961622

Publication

The Journal of Physician Assistant Education

Volume

28

Issue

1

Publisher

Wolters Kluwer

Pages

S43-S48

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