Health disparity (HD) issues that affect underserved and racially or ethnically diverse communities, including African American, underserved and Samoan communities.

摘要

This special issue of the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved (JHCPU) highlights a few of the daunting health disparity (HD) issues that affect under-served and racially or ethnically diverse communities, including African American, underserved and Samoan communities. Health disparities are related to a wide range of complex factors requiring systematic and consistent approaches that include focus on reduction and elimination of inequities in health and resources. Multidisciplihary and interdisciplinary teams of researchers, communities, health professionals, non-traditional practitioners and policymakers have roles in ensuring the use of evidence-guided solutions that can close and eliminate gaps in prevention, and access to high-quality, affordable, and culturally appropriate public health practices, health care, and medical resources. Now, more than ever, there are tremendous opportunities to foster and implement solutions to eliminate disparities in health that have been reported for decades. Part of the approach requires the translation to clinical practice and community benefit of what we know works.