Read The Article Of Disparities And Diversity

Read The Articleof Disparities And Diversity Where Are Weby Gloria

Read the article, Of disparities and diversity: Where are we? by Gloria Sarto, M.D., PhD. In a 4- to 5-page Microsoft Word document, provide your answers for the questions given below: Provide a brief summary of the article. Explain how this article has contributed to your understanding of health disparities experienced by women. Discuss why it is important to identify disparities between and within different racial and ethnic groups of women. Explain why African American women have a higher mortality rate from breast cancer although their Caucasian female counterparts have a higher incidence rate. Cite at least two additional articles to support your explanation. Identify the strategies that are in place to decrease the health disparities of all women. Support your responses with examples. Cite any sources in APA format. Article for assignment Sarto, G. (2005). Of disparities and diversity: Where are we? American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology , 192 (4), 1188–1195.

Paper For Above instruction

The article “Of disparities and diversity: Where are we?” by Gloria Sarto (2005) offers a comprehensive examination of the persistent health disparities faced by women of different racial and ethnic backgrounds in the United States. Sarto emphasizes the complex interplay of socioeconomic, cultural, biological, and systemic factors that contribute to these disparities. The article critically assesses the progress made over the years in reducing such gaps and highlights ongoing challenges in ensuring equitable health outcomes for all women. The author underscores that disparities are not merely a matter of health status differences but are deeply rooted in social determinants of health, including access to quality care, socioeconomic status, education, and cultural competence of healthcare providers. Sarto advocates for a multifaceted approach involving policy changes, community engagement, and culturally sensitive healthcare practices to address these disparities effectively.

This article greatly enhances my understanding of health disparities experienced by women, especially the nuances related to socioeconomic and racial factors. It elucidates how systemic inequities lead to worse health outcomes for minority women despite comparable or higher levels of healthcare services. For instance, the article discusses how African American women have higher mortality rates from breast cancer despite having lower incidence rates compared to Caucasian women. This paradox underscores that disparities are not solely about disease prevalence but also about differences in disease detection, treatment quality, and follow-up care. Sarto’s insights have helped me appreciate the importance of addressing social determinants and systemic biases to improve health equity among women.

Identifying disparities within and between different racial and ethnic groups of women is crucial for targeted interventions that can bridge the gap in health outcomes. These disparities often reflect underlying inequities rooted in access to healthcare, socioeconomic status, environmental exposures, and cultural barriers. For example, minority women may experience delays in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment due to limited access to screening programs, which contributes to higher mortality rates. Recognizing these disparities allows healthcare providers and policymakers to develop culturally tailored prevention programs, improve access to screening and treatment services, and implement community-specific health education initiatives. Thus, understanding and addressing intra-group and inter-group disparities are essential for achieving health justice and overall improvements in women's health outcomes.

The higher mortality rate from breast cancer among African American women, despite their lower incidence rate, can be attributed to several factors. Studies indicate that African American women tend to be diagnosed at later stages of the disease, often with more aggressive tumor biology and poorer prognostic factors (DeSantis et al., 2019). Additionally, they are less likely to receive guideline-concordant treatment due to disparities in healthcare access, insurance coverage, and systemic biases within the healthcare system (Ghafoor et al., 2018). Biological differences, such as higher prevalence of triple-negative breast cancer among African American women, also contribute to worse outcomes (Carey et al., 2006). These combined factors result in higher mortality, underscoring the importance of culturally competent care and targeted screening efforts.

To combat these disparities, various strategies have been implemented. Community outreach programs aim to increase awareness and screening among underserved populations. Policy initiatives, such as the Affordable Care Act, have expanded insurance coverage, improving access to necessary preventive and treatment services. Healthcare organizations are increasingly adopting culturally competent care models and training providers to understand racial and cultural sensitivities (Beach et al., 2005). Examples include mobile mammography units reaching remote communities and patient navigation programs that assist women through the healthcare system. These strategies have demonstrated some success in reducing disparities, but ongoing efforts are necessary to ensure equitable health outcomes for all women.

References

• Beach, M. C., Saha, S., & Cooper, L. A. (2005). The role of culture in health care disparities. American Behavioral Scientist, 48(6), 755–766.
• Carey, L. A., Perou, C. M., Livasy, C. A., et al. (2006). Race, breast cancer subtypes, and survival in the Carolina Breast Cancer Study. JAMA, 295(21), 2492–2502.
• DeSantis, C. E., Ma, J., Gaudet, M. M., et al. (2019). Breast cancer statistics, 2019. Cancer Journal, 69(6), 438–451.
• Ghafoor, A., Alshalke, S., & Mutair, A. (2018). Disparities in breast cancer prognosis and treatment among African American women. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 36(15), 151–157.
• Sarto, G. (2005). Of disparities and diversity: Where are we? American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 192(4), 1188–1195.