Significant gaps in health status persist among certain racial and ethnic groups. African Americans' lifespan is, on average, seven years shorter than their white peers'. They are twice as likely as whites to die from heart disease, diabetes and various forms of cancer.

Although research demonstrates that service utilization and health outcomes improve when healthcare practitioners are culturally similar to their patients, minorities represent only six percent of the healthcare workforce, with African Americans representing only two percent, despite their representing over a quarter of the general population.

In New York state, people of color are half as likely as whites to be insured. This significantly decreases their chances for preventative care, timely screening, early detection, and quality treatment options.

 Dr. Browne's Presentation on Health Disparity

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