Improving Health Care Quality

Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities

Systematic differences in health status and health care quality across racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. have been well documented, most thoroughly in the Institute of Medicine's 2003 report Unequal Treatment. These differences generally persist even when factors such as income, education, and health insurance coverage are taken into account, indicating the complexity of the problem and the need for multifaceted solutions. To inform policy discussions, IHP's work in this area has focused on analyzing the relationships among all the determinants of disparities and the opportunities for different policy actors to effect change. Future work aims to build on opportunities for cross-sectoral collaboration including but extending beyond health care systems, while also leveraging Kaiser Permanente's experience with culturally and linguistically appropriate care to continue to improve factors specific to health systems.

For more information please contact Kate Meyers.

Publications January 2008 Beyond Equal Care: How Health Systems Can Impact Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities Kate Meyers, The Permanente Journal, Volume 12, Number 1 May 2007 Issue Brief: Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities Highlights from "Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities: Influences, Actors, and Policy Opportunities," March 2007 Kate Meyers, Kaiser Permanente Institute for Health Policy, Oakland, CA. March 2007 Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities: Influences, Actors, and Policy Opportunities Kate Meyers, Kaiser Permanente Institute for Health Policy, Oakland, CA. December 2006 Reducing Disparities: Goals, Roles, and Opportunities Kate Meyers, Kaiser Permanente Institute for Health Policy, Oakland, CA.

Events and Panels/Presentations July 18, 2007 Funders’ Role in Promoting Collaboration to Improve Equity for Children, Families, and Communities September 20, 2006 Roundtable: Reducing Disparities: Goals, Roles, and Opportunities