Health disparities are the differences in well-being among population groups. The National Institutes of Health defines health disparities as “the differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and burden of diseases and other adverse health conditions that exist among specific population groups in the United States." This means that there are groups of people within the US that are less likely to be healthy and live a long life than other groups of people. Population groups that are less likely to experience good health and longer life include the poor, those with less than a high school education, African Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans and Hispanics.

One of the first steps to solving any problem is understanding it. With that in mind, CHERP has developed a primer and a glossary to introduce people to health equity research, and health and health care disparities.

For an introduction to health and health care disparities through our primer, click here.
For a searchable glossary of terms related to health equity research, click here.