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Message from the Director"In the long term, we want to know the root of health disparities. In the short term, we're seeing populations suffering from cancer, heart disease and diabetes at alarming rates. While we are searching for answers, we must take action." Health Disparities can be described as inequalities or differences indicative of injustice or unfairness and should be viewed as a chain of events signified by differences in environment, access to care, utilization of care, quality of care, health status, or health outcomes. The reason for the resurgent interest in health disparities is that they have persisted despite steady improvements in the standard of living and despite advances in medical knowledge and technology. Indeed, in several instances, health disparities appear to be widening over time. Today, cardiovascular disease disproportionately affects minority groups and is the leading cause of death among women in the United States, and both groups receive suboptimal care for the disease. Disparities in the treatment of diabetes mellitus in African Americans, women, patients with less than a high school education, and the elderly have also been found, while many minority groups continue to suffer disproportionately from cancer and racial disparities still exist in cancer screening and treatment. Minorities are underrepresented in clinical trials for multiple reasons and at all levels of coinsurance; the poor are less likely to seek preventive care. Here at the University of Maryland School of Medicine Comprehensive Center for Health Disparities Research, Training and Outreach, we have been actively engaged in research and clinical and educational programs to identify, reduce and ultimately eliminate health disparities in the State. By working with community organizations, local healthcare providers, historically black colleges and universities, local media, faith-based organizations and health departments we are able to reach these underserved populations and grant them access to quality healthcare. In July 2004, the School of Medicine was awarded a 4.7 million dollar grant from the National Institutes of Health to establish The University of Maryland Comprehensive Center for Health Disparities Research, Training and Outreach, whose goal is to reduce and eliminate health disparities through technology and translation of research advances from bench to clinic and clinic to community. Through a multi-level approach, the Center works together with local communities to identify disparities and create specific strategies to eliminate them and improve the access to healthcare for underserved communities. On this web site, you will find more information about the work we do, our partners and our efforts to eliminate health disparities, guaranteeing that everyone regardless of race, gender or socioeconomic status has equal access to quality healthcare. Thank you for visiting our website and please come back soon! Sincerely, |
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