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Health disparities can occur in many forms for ethnic and racial minorities in the United States. For some groups, these may include increased rates of chronic disease, homicide-related deaths, infant mortality, obesity, and more.1 A prominent example was the prevalence in 2018 of diabetes in adults.2 That year, the incidence of self-reported new diagnoses to the National Health Interview Survey was 12.3% among Hispanic individuals, 12.1% among non-Hispanic Blacks, and 7.4% among non-Hispanic White individuals.2
In general, health disparities are defined as "differences that exist among specific population groups in the United States in the attainment of full health potential that can be measured by differences in incidence, prevalence, mortality, burden of disease, and other adverse health conditions."1
Disparities do not exist just across ethnic and racial groups but also across age, gender, geographic location, socioeconomic status, and disability status.3 Health equity, in contrast, pertains to "individuals achieving their highest level of health through the elimination of disparities in health and health care."2
As health care professionals, we must keep health equity in mind for all patients and be alert to potential barriers that may prevent access to adequate care. The Health Equity and Accountability Act (HEAA) was reintroduced in 2022 to combat these issues and build upon the strides made under the Affordable Care Act.4 Since...