Black health inequities and the American health care system

Abstract

This paper examines the health care status of blacks in the American health care system and points out that blacks are burdened by a number of health inequities when compared to their white counterparts. The paper's central theme is that the degree of governmental commitment in a liberal, pluralistic society is at the foundation of inadequate health care for black Americans. Blacks lack input in the health care politics and decision/policy-making processes. This lack of input has resulted in a health care system that appears to be unresponsive to the health care needs of black Americans. This is most acute in the areas of health manpower planning and health planning. The conclusion suggests that an increase in the number of blacks in the health professions along with more black participation in health decision/policy-making could lead to a substantial improvement in the overall health care of blacks.