Health Disparities
Definitions:
The National Institute of Health defines health disparities 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.” In essence, disparities in health exist when there are unequal burdens of diseased among specific population groups. It is this unequal sharing of disease burdens that leads to differences in health status among population groups.
Numerous research efforts have shown that the burden of disease for various health conditions is not borne equally by all population groups. Racial and ethnic minorities, in general, suffer a disproportionate share of illness and early death. In both the state and the nation, racial and ethnic minorities experience poorer health outcomes and more premature deaths than whites.
In 1998 the nation committed to the elimination of health disparities in six targeted areas by the year 2010. These conditions were chosen due to their longstanding disparity trends between racial and ethnic minorities and whites at all stages of life.
Health equity is achieved when all people have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible and no one is limited in achieving good health because of their social position or any other social determinant of health.
Health inequity results when disparities or differences are combined with conditions that are unfair, unjust and avoidable.
Social determinants of health are defined as: income; employment and working conditions; education; neighborhoods and housing; environment; transportation; food security; access to social support networks and health care services; and racism as well as other forms of discrimination.
Six Targeted Disparity Areas
OMH focuses its efforts on the six priority health problems that account for the large and disproportionate number of preventable deaths and disabilities affecting minorities in the state.
Heart Disease/Stroke – Heart disease includes conditions affecting the heart, such as coronary heart disease, heart attack, congestive heart failure, and congenital heart disease. Stroke is a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain.
Cancer - begins when cells in a part of the body grow out of control. There are several kinds of cancer, but they all start because of this out-of-control growth of abnormal cells.
- Prostate Cancer - a disease that causes cells of the prostate gland to change and grow out of control. Although prostate cancers grow slowly, there are some prostate cancers that spread quickly to other parts of the body. Prostate cancer is most common among men who are 65 years or older, but African American men are more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer and also die at all ages. Prostate cancer only occurs in men.
- Breast Cancer - a disease that causes breast tissue cells in the body to change and grow out of control. These cancer cells may form a lump or mass called a tumor, which can either remain in one area of the breast or spread throughout the breast. If the spread of these cells in not controlled death can occur. Although White women are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer, minority women stand the greatest chance of dying from the disease.
Breast cancer is found mostly in women; however, men can develop breast cancer as well.
- Colorectal Cancer - cancer that starts in either the colon or the rectum. Colon and rectal cancers begin in the digestive system also called gastrointestinal system (GI).
Infant Mortality - death of a baby that occurs before his or her first birthday.
Diabetes - a group of diseases characterized by high blood glucose (blood sugar) levels that result from defects in the body's ability to produce and/or use insulin.
Immunizations or vaccines (shots) are a product that produces immunity therefore protecting the body from the disease. Vaccines are administered through needle injections, by mouth and by aerosol (nasal spray).
HIV/AIDS - Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that can lead to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV damages a person’s body by destroying specific blood cells that help the body fight diseases.