Health Care Disparities Within Minority Groups In The United States

Health care disparities within minority groups are a significant problem in the United States and have drastic effects on the individuals that compose the minority. Health care disparities are defined as “differences in access to or availability of facilities and services” (HSRIC, 2015). Race and equality have been an ongoing issue in the United States, but there has been improvement over many years. Although equality has improved in several areas, health care is still an issue. Many people believe that health care has improved for everyone in the United States, but for the minority groups it has not. Racial and ethnic health care disparities in the U.S. are substantial issues. Factors that affect these disparities are overall quality of care, …show more content…
According to Schaefer, a minority group is a subordinate group whose members have significantly less control or power over their lives than members of a dominant or majority groups. To be considered part of a minority group, a person must distinguish distinct physical or cultural traits, for example skin color and language. Individuals in the minority groups experience unequal treatment, less control in their lives, involuntary membership in the minority, group, awareness of subordination, and a strong sense of group solidarity. In the United States there is believed to be specific types of minority groups. Schaefer characterizes these types as race, ethnicity, gender, and religion. The United States identifies racial minorities as African American, American Indians, Asian Americans, and Hawaiians. The next minority group is defined by ethnicity. This group is based on language and food as factors that are part of an individual’s culture. Hispanics are considered an ethnic group and not a racial group in the United States. Gender and religion minorities are the last two groups. Religious minorities consist of those who practice a religion other than the dominant faith (Schafer,