Reducing and eliminating health disparities through prevention and public health

Abstract

African Americans suffer more from health disparities than any other racial or ethnic group. In fact, African Americans have the highest mortality rate from every major cause of death. If public health is (as it fancies itself) social justice in health and health care, then it must address this injustice. The underlying cause of disparities is social determinants: income, education, discrimination, powerlessness, and other social factors. In the long run, a “level playing field” must be developed for these factors. But considerable progress in reducing disparities can be achieved through health promotion and disease prevention initiatives that focus on lifestyle determinants of health: tobacco control, improvements in diet, increases in physical activity, firearm control, and other wellknown measures