Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the U.S. Healthcare Delivery System

Alden Knight Health Services System – HSM541 DeVry University, Keller Graduate School of Management August 10, 2013

According to HHS when it comes to racial and ethnic disparities, they identify the lack of insurance as a significant driver of healthcare disparities. Lack of insurance, more than any other demographic or economic barrier, negatively affects the quality of health care received by minority populations. Racial and ethnic minorities are significantly less likely than the rest of the population to have health insurance. They constitute about one-third of the U.S. population, but make up more than half of the 50 million people who are uninsured (HHS 2011). Unfortunately, it has a negative impact on the U.S. healthcare delivery system.
Primary care is the most important part of the health care system. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality or the AHRQ, about 30 percent of Hispanic and 20 percent of Black Americans lack a usual source of health care compared with less than 16 percent of whites. Also, Black Americans and Hispanic Americans are far more likely to rely on hospitals or clinics for their usual source of care than are White Americans (AHRQ 2013). The American Hospital Association or the AHA has convened the Special Advisory Group on Improving Hospital Care for Minorities as part of ongoing efforts to ensure equal treatment for all patients. According to Rich Umbdenstock, AHA President, hospital leaders should focus their time, attention and resources around quality, transparency, data collection, governance, public health, wellness and workforce opportunities. The AHA’s Center for Health Care Governance and Institute for Diversity in Health Management has developed trustee