What it means
A gap in health outcomes that is preventable and tied to things like income, race and ethnicity, language, disability, gender, where a person lives or whether they have insurance. Examples include higher rates of some diseases, later diagnosis or shorter life expectancy in some groups. The conditions in which people live, work and grow, called the social determinants of health, drive many of these gaps.
For the nurse
Ask about barriers such as cost, transport, language and health literacy, use a medical interpreter when needed, and connect clients with community resources.
At a glance
| Spanish | disparidad en salud |
|---|---|
| Also written | health disparities, health-disparities |
Related terms
health promotion
Helping people take actions that keep them well and improve their health.
health literacy
A person's ability to find, understand and use health information to make decisions about their health.
disease prevention
Actions taken to keep a specific disease from starting, to find it early, or to limit its harm.
justice
The ethical principle of treating people fairly and sharing care and resources fairly.