Of disparities and diversity: where are we?
There has been remarkable improvement in the health of women over the past century; however, disparities among minority populations persist. While the reasons for the disparities, usually poorer health, are many and complex, such disparities are unacceptable. Because the reasons for disparities are multiple and complex, eliminating health disparities will require a multifaceted approach. Increasing research into health disparities, biologic, sociologic, and health services research, transforming the health care system into a culturally sensitive system, eliminating unequal treatment provided to minority populations, increasing diversity in the health care workforce, and assuring that health care providers provide culturally competent health care are needed.
Sarto
Gloria
G
University of Wisconsin-Madison, UW Center for Women's Health Research, 202 S. Park Street, Madison, WI 53715, USA. gsarto@wisc.edu
D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008913:Minority Groups; D011287:Prejudice; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States; D016387:Women's Health / Q000208:ethnology*