Policy Brief Examines Causes, Prevalence of Racial, Ethnic Health Disparities

"Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Access to and Quality of Health Care," Synthesis Project: The policy brief by José Escarce of the Synthesis Project, an initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, examines the prevalence and causes of racial and ethnic disparities in health care access and quality. According to the brief, racial and ethnic disparities are pervasive but not universal, with Hispanics facing the largest access disparities. Although insurance coverage, income and other factors contribute to some health disparities, racial and ethnic gaps in access and quality remain after accounting for these factors, the brief states (Escarce, "Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Access to and Quality of Health Care," September 2007).