Unique Observations on a Common Problem

摘要

As the United States once again considers the possibilities for health systems reform, no problem seems more enduring and worthy of attention than the existence of major health disparities and inequities along the lines of race and socioeconomic class. Throughout the United States, there are enormous gaps in health access, quality, and outcomes between racial and ethnic minorities, as well as the poor of all races, and the rest of America. Authors in this issue of this journal represent a wide range of professions and many sectors of society, including some directly impacted by this problem. The articles capitalize on this diversity by providing observations on the magnitude of the health disparity and inequity problems and offer unique observations on what might be done to eliminate them.