10 Key Facts

• Racial differences in health are large.

• In the last 50 years, although overall health has improved, racial differences are unchanged or have widened.

• Racial differences are not caused by genetic factors.

• Socioeconomic Status (SES) is a central but incomplete explanation of racial differences in health.

• All indicators of SES are not the same across racial/ethnic groups.

• In addition to SES, other factors linked to race/ethnicity (including racism) are an added burden.

• Place makes an added contribution to health.

• There are racial/ethnic differences in access to care.

• There are racial/ethnic differences in the quality of care.

• Policies to reduce inequalities in health must address fundamental non-medical determinants.