Tracking disparities in the United States

Oral health disparities remain in the United States based on income, racial and ethnic minority status, age, and sometimes gender. Some of these disparities are profound, with low-income and minority individuals experiencing the greatest burden of disease. A distinction must be made between health equality and health equity (Figure  1). Some health differences are unavoidable and some are unjust, which pertains to the human rights principle of health equity. For example, equal treatment may be unjust if some disadvantaged groups need but do not receive the additional resources or services needed to achieve healthy status.

Source: Dental Abstracts - September 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Big Picture Source Type: research