We work to reduce health disparities so everyone, no matter who they are, where they live, or what challenges they face, can be healthy.
Learn how we help these groups
- African Americans
- Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders
- Hispanics/Latinos
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex (LGBTQI)+
- People who live in rural areas
African Americans
African Americans are the second-largest minority group in the United States. The leading health disparities for this group are heart disease, infant mortality, and diabetes.
Who we partner with to address the most critical needs
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)'s:
Read the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's 2016 report:
Chartbook on Health Care for Blacks: National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report (PDF - 3 MB)
Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders
This group is the most diverse and fastest growing in the United States and its territories. The leading health disparities for this group are cancer, heart disease, stroke, unintentional injuries (accidents), and diabetes.
Key social determinants of health
- Have roots in dozens of countries
- Often speak more than one language
- Include those who recently came to the United States and families who have been here for generations
- Identify ethnically and as American
- Work in a variety of careers
- Differ in social and economic status and education level
Programs targeted to help this group
- Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program
- Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students Program
- Native Hawaiian Health Centers
- Special Initiative: U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands
Who we partner with to address the most critical needs
- Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations
- White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders
Hispanics and Latinos
This is the nation's second-largest racial or ethnic group after non-Hispanic whites. It includes any person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race.
Some of the leading causes of death for this group are cancer, heart disease, and unintentional injuries.
Key social determinants of health
- Make up 18.9% of the total U.S. population
- Are the nation's second largest racial or ethnic group after non-Hispanic whites
- Includes 25.7% under the age 18 compared to 53% of non-Hispanic whites
Who we partner with to address the most critical needs
HHS's Office of Minority Health - Hispanic/Latino Health
Learn more about the issues
- Organ Donor | Donación de Órganos
- Biblioteca de recursos en español de HRSA
- Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (2006 - 2018) (National Institutes of Health)
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex (LGBTQI)+
People who identify as LGBTQI+ often have trouble getting health care. People may treat them differently. This may be worse if they also identify as people of color.
We provide technical assistance to health care providers. They can learn how to provide unbiased care to people who identify as LGBTQI+ and their families.
Who we partner with to address the most critical needs
- The National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center
- AETC National Coordinating Resource Centers
- TargetHIV
- HHS's Healthy People 2030: LGBT
Learn more about the issues
Measuring Sex, Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation (March 2022), The National Academies Consensus Study Report | Summary (PDF - 259 KB)