How can health disparities in the US be reduced?​

A. Health disparities are health differences that are linked to social, economic, and/or environmental disadvantages.
1. Racial and ethnic disparities are important as they underlie health disparities in the US.
B. Ways to reduce health disparities would be to tackle what causes health disparities, such as:
1. Health literacy. Health literacy is the ability to read and understand health information. Health literacy helps individuals make informed health care decisions. Ethnic minorities are more likely to have low health literacy, and thus make uninformed health care decisions.
2. Lack of access to medical care. Ethnic minorities often receive poorer medical care than European Americans.
3. Low socioeconomic status. Poverty relates to receiving poor medical care, possibly because those in poverty are less likely to have health insurance.
a. Poverty also relates to risky health habits, such as eating a high-fat diet and leading a sedentary lifestyle.