Most simply, Health is the state of being of sound mind and body, free from pain or disease. Some also include social well-being, in addition to complete physical and mental well-being, as a fundamental aspect of health. The health of individuals and populations can be affected by genetics, social and physical environment, and access to health care.

The differences in access, process, and structure of healthcare among specific population groups. A geographic health care disparity may occur in that those living in urban areas may have easier access to certain types of healthcare than those living in rural areas. In another example, people who do not speak English well may not get the same level of care as those who do speak English, due to barriers in communication. Health care disparities can lead to health disparities in some cases. For example, African American women suffering from breast cancer are less likely to receive follow up radiation treatment after breast conserving surgery. In a project published last year, this health care disparity was shown to be responsible for a large part (but not all) of the difference in survival between African American and Caucasian women with breast cancer. The researcher found that when African American and Caucasian women received the same care (i.e., radiation therapy following breast conserving surgery), the difference in survival between the two groups was significantly less. (Source: Joslyn SA. Racial Differences in treatment and survival from early-stage breast carcinoma. Cancer 2002 Oct 15;95(8):1759-66) In other cases, health care disparities do not lead to health disparities. This was found within the VA health care system where the survival after heart attack was the same for Caucasian and African American men, despite the fact that African American men did not receive the same types of treatments as the Caucasian veterans. (Source: Petersen LA, Wright SM, Peterson ED, Daley J. Impact of Race on Cardiac Care and Outcomes in Veterans With Acute Myocardial Infarction. Medical Care (supplement). 2002;40:I86-96. )

The differences in the prevalence, mortality, and burden of disease and other adverse health conditions that exist among specific population groups. For example, a well documented health disparity exists around hypertension or high blood pressure. African Americans have a much greater rate of hypertension or high blood pressure than do Caucasians; in other words, the prevalence of hypertension or high blood pressure is higher among African Americans than it is among Caucasians. Another example of a health disparity would be in rate of death, or mortality, for lung cancer. Proportionally more people die of lung cancer in the South than in any other region of the U.S. Another way that health disparities exist is in the burden of disease on a population. The burden of disease reflects the impact of an illness on a group of people. It can be measured in many ways, including lost years of life, work absences, and effect on quality of life. One disparity in the burden of disease is that poor people with chronic diseases suffer more limitations in activity than people with same chronic diseases who have money. (All examples from Health, United States, 2002) Another example of disproportionate burden of disease is the fact that the rate of death among American Indians and Alaskan Natives is 740% higher than the rate of death for alcoholism in other US populations. (Source: Indian Health Service publication Facts on Indian Health Disparities; 2001).

The Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS) Measures are a set of health care quality measures designed to help purchasers and consumers determine how well health plans follow accepted care standards for prevention and treatment. Formerly known as the Health Plan Employer Data Information Set, health plans can receive accreditation on HEDIS measures from certain organizations, such as the National Committee on Quality Assurance.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is the primary federal agency for improving access to health care services for people who are uninsured, isolated or medically vulnerable.

Characteristics of the insurers, public health, Medicare, Medicaid and the Veterans Administration that contribute to health and health care disparities. This may include lack of organization and staffing, and a misallocation of resources.