What is a Disparity?
Despite the numerous technological advancements and efficiencies of today’s healthcare industry, many are unable to gain equal access and quality of healthcare. The present and future healthcare professionals must step up to ensure that disparities in healthcare are eradicated.
But first, what is a disparity?
A disparity is simply defined as “a lack of similarity or equality (Dictionary 2020)”. In the context of the healthcare industry, a disparity is known to be “a particular type of health difference that is closely linked with social, economic, and/or environmental disadvantages (Healthy People 2020)”.
Health disparities are often prevalent among groups of people who have difficulty receiving the best possible healthcare for themselves based on discrimination or exclusion.
Health care disparities are largely influenced by multiple factors regarding the conditions of the environment in which one lives. These factors are better known as the social and physical determinants of health.
To put a physical determinant in context, an American who earns less income might live in a residential area that is close to a power plant. As a result of the poor air quality, the residents’ lung problems quickly exacerbate and a lung cancer disparity is more likely to emerge. By contrast, wealthier Americans may have the luxury of living in an area of their preference, far from places containing large amounts of air pollution. These citizens are not exposed to bad air quality on a daily basis and do not have to worry about lung health being affected by external factors.
A situation in which social determinants of health are at play is in a community in which the culture is homophobic. The LGBTQ+ community living in this area may consequently develop mental health issues and feelings of isolation, especially the younger population. However, a child who recently discovered they identified as LGBTQ+ may have a much easier time coming out to a community that has shown their support and acceptance. The child will be less prone to depression, anxiety, or other mental health illnesses and isolation.
As you can see from the examples above, the physical and social environment in which one lives is a massive indicator of the probability of a disparity occurring.
Now that you have an idea of what a healthcare disparity is, you might be wondering what this has to do with cultural competence. Think of cultural competence as the foundational pillar to reduce disparities. Through knowledge of cultural sensitivity and unbiased care, physicians have the ability to provide healthcare of the same quality to those who need it. By understanding that a disparity is occurring among a certain group of people, you can then apply cultural competence to target the cause of the disparity and eventually eliminate it.
By: Sreenidhi Saripalli
