10 Key Recommendations for Addressing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health.
From Closing the Gap: Solutions to Race-Based Health Disparities

1. Eliminate disparities in access to health insurance.
Expand public health programs such as Medicaid and work toward a universal health care system guaranteeing basic access.

2. Improve health care in medically underserved areas, which are often communities of color.
Support community health clinics that provide high-quality care to underinsured and uninsured patients.

3. Develop health care institutions that are welcoming and respectful to people of differentraces and ethnicities.
Improve access to quality care for people of color by minimizing financial barriers to patient/doctor communication, training staff in culturally appropriate care, and building a diverse workforce.

4. Track racial disparities in health care provision.
With proper data collection, health care institutions can be held accountable for eliminating these disparities and meeting high quality-of care standards for all patients.

5. Provide medical interpretation services for all clinical encounters.
Federal, state, and local governments, as well as insurers and health care providers, should fund language services as a medical necessity.

6. Improve access to traditional and non-Western treatments.
Insurers should be required to cover alternative and culturally appropriate health care. Health care providers should be provided training and access to research about alternative and non-Western medical practices.

7. Adopt and enforce policies that promote safety and health.
The adoption of worker protections and environmental standards are necessary to address root causes of health inequality.

8. Include public health experts and community organizations in community development and planning processes.
Health concerns must be at the forefront in discussions about housing, transportation, and economic development.

9. Provide funding and support for improved nutrition, physical education, and health education in schools.
School environments that emphasize health can lead to improved health outcomes and higher academic achievement.

10. Support programs that incorporate cultural traditions.
Connecting people to their cultural heritage can be an effective way to improve individual and community health.