Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Access to Health Insurance and Health Care


 

Publication Date: April 2000

Publisher: Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation

Author(s):

Research Area: Health

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

Racial and ethnic groups in the United States continue to experience major differences in health status compared to the majority white population. Although many factors affect health status, the lack of health insurance and other barriers to obtaining health services markedly diminish minorities' use of both preventive services and medical treatments.

This report, produced in collaboration with the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, examines health insurance coverage and access to physician services among African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and American Indians and Alaska Natives. By pooling national survey data over two years, information about particular minority subgroups is also provided.