According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (1999), large disparities exist between minorities and the rest of Americans in major areas of health. The Health Disparities Report (2013) stated that a survey was conducted with roughly 30 communities in America and it showed that minority groups such as African Americans, Hispanics and Asians continue to have poorer socioeconomic standing, greater obstructions to access health care and more risk for, and burden of diseases in comparison to rest of the American population.
Health care systems are microcosms of the society in which they belong. The American health care system is one such example. The quality of medical care one receives is dependent on the patient's race or skin color. Racial and ethnic groups' comprise approximately one-third of the US populace but have the highest uninsured rate among Americans and thus, poor access to basic health care (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). Additionally, large racial and health disparities infiltrate the health care workforce, the health of populations, and data collection and research. Shortages of culturally proficient health personnel influence the quality of health care for minority groups, especially in areas with limited English proficiency. According to Koh, Graham & Glied (2011) health disparities against minorities frequently occur in conditions such as cardiovascular disease, hepatitis, cancer, HIV/AIDS, oral health and mental health leading to poorer health outcomes.
Mental Illness.
In relation to the issue of mental health, Williams, Neighbors & Jackson (2003) maintained that racial and ethnic discrimination has a negative impact on the mental health of minority groups. Discrimination can alter the state of one's mental health by changing an individual's perception of themselves and their environment (Gee, Spencer, Chen, Yip, & Takeuchi, 2007). Mental illness is described by Mental Health America as a disease that creates slight to serious disturbances in thinking, perception and behavior.
