Health Disparities : Overview

Health disparities continue to be a problem in the United States.

This is still true for the youth of America today. The problem is likely to continue with the increasing diversity of the American population.

The U.S. government has created task forces in an effort to eliminate racial and health disparities.

Causes of racial disparities include:

• socioeconomic status
• culture
• limited access to and utilization of health care
• limited utilization of preventive care
• limited access to dental care
• racism

Racial and ethnic minorities experience substantial disparities in health.

Problems and issues related to health disparities include:

• food insecurity and hunger
• differences in breastfeeding and infant feeding practices
• differences in physical activity
• unhealthy dietary habits
• higher infant mortality rates
• higher rates of cardiovascular disease
• increase likelihood or earlier onset of diabetes