"Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care
is the most shocking and inhumane." —Dr. Martin Luther King
Racial and ethnic minorities in the U.S. are more likely to lack health insurance, receive lower-quality care, and suffer from worse health outcomes. While the causes of health disparities are complex, we know the time to take action is now . . .
What's New
Health Affairs Focuses on Health Disparities
The March/April issue of Health Affairs focuses exclusively on racial and ethnic disparities in health and health care. Articles cover the many diverse aspects of inequity in health, including the role of social determinants, the effects of education level on life expectancy and mortality, data collection, and workforce diversity. One article that is available online discusses efforts to pass federal minority health legislation, including an update of current efforts as well as a historical context.
New Chartbook on Health Disparities
Studies have shown that minorities are generally in poorer health, are more likely to be uninsured, and have more obstacles to obtaining quality health care. The Commonwealth Fund has released a chartbook that is designed to help advocates, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners assess the impact of such disparities in health status, access, coverage, and health care quality. This invaluable resource provides evidence-based strategies that have proven successful in reducing health disparities that are specific to certain populations.
Analysis of Asian-American Subgroups Highlight Disparities
Going beyond national studies that often treat Asian Americans as a homogeneous and relatively healthy group, a new analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum finds that certain subgroups of the nation's Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander populations are doing much worse than other subgroups in terms of health coverage and access to health care. For example, breaking down data by ethnicity shows that Korean Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders are about twice as likely to be uninsured as whites.
Keep Up-to-Date
Minority Health Connection: This monthly newsletter was launched to keep advocates connected to the most pressing issues affecting minority health. Topics include the latest resources in minority health, how major health policy issues affect communities of color, and comments from leaders in the field of racial and ethnic health disparities.
Let Your Voice Be Heard
If you have questions about minority health, or if you have suggestions about topics that you'd like to see addressed on our Web site, please let us know. For more information about Families USA and our work in minority health, contact Rea Pañares, Director of Minority Health Initiatives, at 202-628-3030.
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