Leanne Anderson
Racial and ethnic minority groups have been disproportionately impacted by the health disparities that are present in the US. Despite the fact that the US spends the most on healthcare, double the amount spent by other high-income countries, the US experiences the poorest health1, and minorities face substantial barriers as a result of health disparities.
In order to increase health equity, the concept that anyone has the ability to be healthy regardless of socioeconomic status or background, it is important to understand social determinants of health.
Social determinants of health are non-medical conditions that impact one’s quality of health and access to healthcare.2 This could be one’s physical environment, neighborhood, socioeconomic status, and social environment. These interrelated factors greatly influence minority groups, as they are more likely to experience poverty, discrimination, and institutional racism.3 In fact, research shows that those who experience discrimination are much more stressed, and chronic stress, in turn, can be detrimental to one’s health and lead to chronic disease.4
Research overwhelmingly shows the disparities of racial and ethnic minorities compared with whites, factors that contribute to increased health inequity and access to healthcare.
For example, African Americans face higher rates of imprisonment and unemployment compared to whites. African Americans also face higher death rates, even when taking into account differences in income and education.4
Additionally, Hispanics have lower educational attainment, higher rates of unemployment, lower annual income earnings, as well as higher rates of being in poverty, compared to whites.5 Hispanics, compared to any other racial or ethnic group, are the most likely to lack health insurance coverage.6
Mexican Americans are also found to be less likely to receive blood pressure and cholesterol measurements, as well as treatment services for hypertension.7 Researchers found lack of health insurance to be the factor most strongly associated with the racial and ethnic disparities in cardiovascular service accessibility. Other contributors like socioeconomic status were found as well.
Other social determinants of health such as education and socioeconomic status are strongly associated with health disparities.
Those of higher socioeconomic status experience higher quality of health, as well as lower rates of mortality, compared to those of lower socioeconomic status.8 This is also related to education where those who are more educated are found to have a higher quality of health.
A significant factor for why many people are uninsured is the high cost. 73.7% of those who lack insurance said the reason was that it is too costly.9 72% of Americans also believe that health care should be more affordable.10 Thus, the high cost of coverage is a significant barrier to racial and ethnic minority groups.
In order to decrease health inequities and reduce the quality of health gap between minority groups and whites, steps should be made to make healthcare more affordable and equitable. There should be programs established for racial and ethnic minority communities to inform and aid. However, significant structural changes in the healthcare system will be needed to address such an unjust gap.
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