The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has defined health disparities in populations.
Features of health disparities:
(1) difference in one or both of the following:
(1a) burden of disease, injury and/or violence
(1b) opportunities to achieve optimal health
(2) experienced by a socially disadvantaged population
(3) potentially preventable
A population may be disadvantaged due to:
(1) geographic location
(2) income
(3) gender
(4) sexual orientation
(5) mental disability
(6) physical disability
Disadvantages may stem from:
(1) limited educational opportunities
(2) limited access to health care
(3) food and water insecurity
(4) limited or unsafe housing
(5) low-wage work opportunities
