There is a distinct intersection between health disparities and equitable access. Health disparities are marked differences in a person’s health condition that can be directly related to demographic and social determinants like race, income, culture, or geographic isolation. There are physical barriers such as financial burden, employment conflicts, and transportation to services. But, there are also more subtle barriers like culture, history of mistrust, or even fear of social stigma that may go unrecognized, but still prevent people from prioritizing healthy life-styles, participating in routine health assessments, or reaching out for needed services. The combination is a detrimental effect that pushes rates of chronic and terminal illnesses for racial, ethnic, and resource-poor communities disproportionately higher than the general population experiences.
