Health Disparities in the United States: Social Class, Race, Ethnicity, and Health

by Donald A. Barr

The health care system in the United States has been called the best in the world, but many of its residents cannot afford or do not have access to adequate care. Health Disparities in the United States explores how socioeconomic status, race, and ethnic make-up affect health disparities; what the wide gulf in care and health outcomes means for the medical community, cultural subsets, and society at large; and how to address the issue effectively.

Topics examined include:• The relationship between income and social status and health care and outcomes• The effect of race and ethnicity on health and the availability of care• Conscious, unconscious, and institutionalized bias in treatment options• How and when race and ethnicity should be taken into account in treating illness• Practical and practicable ideas for reducing health disparities

Analyzing the complex web of social forces that influence health outcomes in the United States, this book is a vital teaching tool and a comprehensive reference for social science and medical professionals.

Genres: Nonfiction

356 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2008

Reviews

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was required for class. Overall this was an interesting read and goes into depth on what contributes to ethnic minorities in the United States

[Emma Engel · Rating 5 out of 5]

It reads like a textbook so can be a bit dry but it is a must read for anyone going into healthcare

[Nuha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really easy to read/understand, is one of the better examples of how academic writing can be made accessible to everyday people! Barr did a fantastic job setting up his arguments and building them as the book progressed so that systematic racial issues in the healthcare system could not be ignored.

[Jac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great analysis of data regarding health correlations with social class, race, and ethnicity. Lots of interesting anecdotes mixed in. Also does a nice job of suggesting what we can do to provide more equal treatment across those divisions.