Omofolarin Debellotte

Region 2 Director,  AMWA Premedical Division

Graduate of New York University with a degree in Organizational Behavior

 

Healthcare disparities remain one of the most persistent challenges facing the American healthcare system. These disparities—defined as differences in access to care, quality of care, and health outcomes—are not random. They are deeply tied to social, economic, and environmental disadvantages that disproportionately affect racial and ethnic minorities, low-income populations, and rural communities (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022). 

Decades of research have shown that health inequities are preventable. Yet, they continue to widen, especially in vulnerable areas such as chronic disease management, mental health services, preventive care, and maternal health. As many advocacy organizations have highlighted, including community initiatives like the Partum Project, addressing these disparities requires systemic change, community investment, and intentional action at every level of care.

The Roots of Healthcare Disparities 

Healthcare disparities do not arise in a vacuum. They are the result of intersecting factors, including:

  • Socioeconomic Status:  Lower-income individuals often face barriers, including a lack of insurance, transportation difficulties, and high out-of-pocket costs (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality [AHRQ], 2022). 
  • Geographic Barriers: Rural and underserved urban areas may lack sufficient healthcare providers, specialty services, and hospitals (National Rural Health Association, 2024). 
  • Cultural and Language Barriers: Differences in language, cultural beliefs, and health literacy can lead to miscommunication and suboptimal care (Flores, 2006). 

These systemic factors contribute to worse outcomes in diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and mental illness where disparities can lead to preventable suffering and death.

Chronic Disease: A Case Study in Inequity 

One striking example of healthcare disparities can be seen in chronic disease outcomes, particularly in the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes among Native American communities. According to the Indian Health Service (2021), Native Americans are nearly three times more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes compared to non-Hispanic whites. Contributing factors include food insecurity, reduced access to healthcare services, historic trauma, and a lack of culturally tailored prevention programs. 

Projects such as the Partum Project , have emphasized the importance of recognizing social determinants of health such as access to stable housing, nutritious food, and culturally competent care. Their work reinforces that improving maternal health outcomes cannot simply be about medical interventions; it must also involve addressing the broader ecosystem in which patients live. 

By providing postpartum support, health education, and resources to those experiencing barriers to care, initiatives like these serve as a model for how community-based interventions can begin to chip away at long-standing inequities.

The Path Forward: Policy, Practice, and Community 

Tackling healthcare disparities demands a comprehensive approach that spans policy reform, clinical practice transformation, and community empowerment. 

  • Policy Solutions: Expanding Medicaid, investing in chronic disease prevention programs, funding rural healthcare infrastructure, and enforcing nondiscrimination in healthcare settings are all vital (Kaiser Family Foundation [KFF], 2022). 
  • Provider Education: Clinicians must be trained in cultural humility, implicit bias recognition, and trauma-informed care practices to better serve diverse populations. 
  • Community Engagement: Healthcare systems must partner with trusted community organizations that understand the unique needs of local populations. Programs like the Partum Project demonstrate the power of tailoring interventions to meet people where they are. 

Healthcare disparities are neither new nor inevitable. They are the product of systems that can and must be changed. By drawing lessons from grassroots efforts, clinical innovations, and policy advocacy, we can move closer to a healthcare system that is equitable, inclusive, and justice for all. 

The work of organizations such as the Partum Project reminds us that addressing health disparities is not merely about treating disease, it is about fostering dignity, respect, and opportunity in every stage of life.

References 

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2022). 2022 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report. https://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/nhqrdr/nhqdr22/index.html 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Health Disparities. https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-youth/health-disparities/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc. gov/healthyyouth/disparities/index.htm 

Flores, G. (2006). Language barriers to health care in the United States. New England Journal of Medicine, 355(3), 229-231. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMp058316 

Indian Health Service. (2021). Diabetes in American Indians and Alaska Natives: Facts At-a-Glance 2021. https://www.ihs.gov/diabetes/ 

Kaiser Family Foundation. (2022). Key Facts on Health and Health Care by Race and Ethnicity. https://www.kff.org/ 

National Rural Health Association. (2024). Bridging the gap: Addressing health inequities in rural communities. https://www.ruralhealth.us/blogs/2024/09/bridging-the-gap-addressing-health-inequities-in-rural-communities

Partum Project. (2024). About Us. https://www.partumproject.com/