Racism in Medicine and Healthcare

What Are Healthcare Disparities?

Healthcare disparities are a type of health difference closely associated with social, economic, and/or environmental disadvantage. Marginalized people and communities are greatly affected by such disadvantages. As a result, this leads to worse healthcare outcomes for certain groups, based on race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability status, geographic location, and more.

Some factors that can impact someone's health outcomes include:

• Socioeconomic status
• Literacy levels
• Access to nutritious food
• Access to safe housing
• Access to health insurance
• Exposure to pollution

This information has been adapted from Healthy People 2030.