Minority Health and Health Disparities
Definitions
Health Disparity
A decline in a dynamic state or condition of physical and psychological wellbeing for one individual or group compared with another that is not a result of individual physiologic variance (Fink, 2009).
Healthcare Disparities
Difference in access to or availability of medical facilities and services (MeSH Controlled Vocabulary, 2008).
Health Status Disparities
Variation in the rates of disease occurance and disabilities between socioeconomic and/or geographically defined population groups (MeSH controlled Vocabulary, 2008).
Minority Health
The concept covering the physical and mental conditions of members of minority groups (MeSH Controlled Vocabulary, 2008).
Fink, A. M. (2009). Toward a new definition of health disparity: a concept analysis. Journal of Transcultural Nursing: Official Journal of the Transcultural Nursing Society / Transcultural Nursing Society, 20(4), 349-357. doi:10.1177/1043659609340802
Why does it Matter?
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Disparities in Health and Health Care: Five Key Questions and Answers"Disparities in health and health care not only affect the groups facing disparities, but also limit overall improvements in quality of care and health for the broader population and result in unnecessary costs. As the population becomes more diverse, with people of color projected to account for over half of the population in 2045, it is increasingly important to address health disparities" (Artiga, para. 2, 2016)
Health Disparities in Context
Great Read!
Diversity Awareness Self-Assessment
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Cultural Competence Health Practitioner Self-Assessment"There are numerous benefits to self-assessment. Such processes can lead to the development of a strategic organizational plan with clearly defined short-term and long-term goals, measurable objectives, identified fiscal and personnel resources, and enhanced consumer and community partnerships.
Self-assessment can also provide a vehicle to measure outcomes for personnel, organizations, population groups and the community at large.
The NCCC views self-assessment as an ongoing process, not a one-time occurrence. It offers organizations and their personnel the opportunity to assess individual and collective progress over time" (Georgetown University, para.1, n.d.)
