Closing the Gap: Reduce disparities in health care delivery to improve quality of care for everyone

The minority population in the US is now an estimated 35% of all residents. In four states, minority groups are more than half the population. Despite these demographic trends, minority groups remain underrepresented among clinicians and health care executives. The Agency for Healthcare and Research and Quality's 2011 "Healthcare Disparities and Quality Report" found that, while states experienced general improvements in health care quality overall, disparities persist for minority and low-income residents. Addressing disparities is essential to clinical excellence and improved community health. Their call to action and the national effort behind it will help them better serve they communities and advance quality care for all.