There are lots of disparities in health care for over hundred of years. Health disparities between minorities always have been a problem, with little improvement over time. There are many reasons for these disparities, including socioeconomic status, health behaviors of the minority groups, access to health care, environmental factors, and direct and indirect manifestations of discrimination. Other reasons for health disparities include; lack of health insurance, over dependence on publically funded facilities by minority groups, and barriers to health care such as insufficient transportation, geographical location (not enough providers in an area), and cost of services.
According to the 2010 Census data, more than 25% of the U.S. population is composed of ethnic minority groups: 12.1% African American, 9% Hispanic, 2.9% Asian, and 1.0% Native Americans. If current birth and immigration trends continue, it is expected that the Hispanic population will increase by 21%, Asian 22%, African-Americans 12% and the White population 2% by the year 2040 (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2010). With the increase in population, also increases the disease. African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Asian Pacific Islander are the four minority groups with poor health, high morbidity, and mortality rates than their white counterparts. Native Americans are high in diabetes, more than twice that for white. Their life expectancy is five year shorter (Satcher, 2000). African Americans have higher rate of developing cardiovascular disease and cancer. According to the former Surgeon General, David Satcher, (2000), mortality rates in heart disease are more than 40% higher, death rate for all cancers is 30% higher, and HIV/AIDS for men are more than seven times higher for African Americans in comparison to whites. Asian American have great diversity within it’s own populations. They