Department of Health Home A to Z Topics About the Department of Health Site Map Contact Us - Opens in a new window
floridashealth.com
Office of Minority Health Home
About Health Disparities

What are health disparities?

Health disparities exists when one group of people get sick or die more often than another group. 

For example in Florida:
  • The cancer death rate is significantly higher in minorities
  • Black babies are twice as likely to die than white babies
  • Blacks makeup a disproportionate number of HIV/AIDS cases in Florida
  • Tooth decay is the single most common chronic illness in children. Latino preschoolers have over twice the tooth decay as white children

         See more minority health statistics

  

Why is addressing  health disparities so important in Florida?

Health disparities are associated with unhealthy communities that contribute to increased healthcare costs for all Floridians. As Florida is a very culturally diverse state, failure to address race- and ethnic-based health inequities and disparities may prove devastating.

The Florida Department of health monitors health disparities to reduce disease burden by identifying high-risk groups, formulating appropriate health care policy, and evaluating the state’s progress in eliminating health disparities. The Florida Office of Minority Health serves as a focal point for the state's efforts.

Why do health disparities exist?

According to the Institute of Medicine Report: Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care health disparities may persist because of differences in access to medical care for racial and ethnic groups and differences in the quality of care received by racial and ethnic groups. Examples of problems  can include:
  • Lack of health insurance
  • Lack of routine care
  • Health Literacy and Language Barriers
  • Provider Prejudices and Stereotyping
  • Patient Mistrust and Refusal of Services
  • Medically Underserved Communities
  • Lack of Participation of Minorities in the Health Professions

What is Florida doing to address health disparities?

The Florida Office of Minority Health works to ensure that all of the divisions and bureau's in the Department of Health are properly addressing minority health issues. The office also directly oversees the Closing the Gap Program, State Partnership Program and Florida Healthy People 2010.