C. Daniel Mullins|Lisa Blatt|Confidence M. Gbarayor|Hui-wen Keri Yang|Claudia R. Baquet
Health disparities: A barrier to high-quality care
University of Maryland, Baltimore|University of Maryland, Baltimore
disparities treatment cardiovascular disease diabetes mellitus cancer among sexes racial groups possible interventions discussedthe ongoing process identify reduce health disparities engaged numerous federal agencies monitor nations progress toward policydriven healthrelated objectives cardiovascular disease disproportionately affects minority groups leading cause death among women united states groups receive suboptimal care disease disparities treatment diabetes mellitus african americans women patients less high school education elderly found many minority groups continue suffer disproportionately cancer racial disparities also exist cancer screening treatment minorities underrepresented clinical trials multiple reasons many may related cultural beliefs levels coinsurance poor less likely seek preventive care adherence national screening treatment guidelines clinical trial recruitment participation addressing language geographic barriers increasing access insurance part coordinated efforts required reduce health disparities pharmacists influence patients health status directly pharmaceutical care indirectly engaging patients treatment essential pharmacists able provide culturally competent caredespite significant efforts past several years health disparities continue exist particularly among minority groups interventions aimed eliminating disparities include ensuring cultural competence among health care providers improving health literacy among patients