Despite experiencing illness at high rates, having the lowest life expectancy compared to other demographics, and being one of the most economically disadvantaged racial groups in America, current challenges to healthcare are affecting African-Americans at disproportionate rates. Native Americans, Hispanics, and those of lower socioeconomic status are also subject to such difficulties and inequalities (Taylor). Health disparities and a lack of accessibility to healthcare services are all major issues that philanthropy needs to take into further consideration.

Understanding Disparities:

Health disparities are defined as “population-specific differences in the presence of disease, health outcomes, or access to healthcare,” according to the Health Resources and Services Administration. 
Some factors that cause these differences:
1) Limited accessibility
2) Environmental problems
3) Food insecurity

Limited Accessibility:

According to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Health Professional Service Areas (HPSAs) illustrate healthcare provider shortages by using either geographic, population, or facility-based data, taking into account primary care, dental health, and mental health. The HRSA also defines Medically Underserved Areas and Populations (MUA/Ps) as geographic areas or populations that do not have sufficient access to primary care providers; MUA/Ps identify the populations (i.e. the homeless, racial groups, low-income) that experience inadequate health services. Both HPSAs and MUA/Ps are important for highlighting the imbalance between healthcare availability and needs of care among varying groups of people (Taylor).

Some Facts: 

1) About 80 percent of Americans living in rural areas are "medically underserved" ("Health Care Deserts")

2) The number of rural doctors is expected to decrease over 23 percent by the next decade while the number of urban doctors remains consistent ("Health Care Deserts")

3) 640 US counties are medical deserts (Goolden)
 

A lack of medical access to those of low socioeconomic status is the result of multiple different factors:

1) Rural hospitals are enticed to larger and more stable hospital systems. Some rural facilities may not be financially secure enough to exist independently, causing them to shut down, forcing those who relied on those hospitals' care to travel greater distances to receive care elsewhere (Goolden)

2) Urban areas have more resources and higher education rates, attracting more medical students and thus more service (Goolden)

3) Public transportation is not as common in rural areas (Goolden)

Environmental Problems:

Environmental hazards such as water / air pollution and exposure to toxic chemicals are more prevalent among low-income and minority areas. 

"A 2016 study of New Jersey residents found that the risk of dying early from long-term exposure to particle pollution was higher in communities with larger African American populations, lower home values and lower median income. Studies of Atlanta, GA, found that particle pollution increased the risk of asthma attacks for zip codes where poverty was high and among people eligible for Medicaid," ("Disparities"). 

Food Insecurity: