June 2004

A State Policy Agenda to Eliminate Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities

This report provides state policymakers with a menu of policy interventions that have been implemented to address disparities in minority health and health care. The authors divide these state and local programs into those targeting infrastructure, management, and capacity, and those targeting specific health conditions. Based on their review, the authors identified eight key needs that state and national policymakers will need to consider: consistent racial/ethnic data collection; effective evaluation of disparities-reduction programs; minimum standards for culturally and linguistically competent health services; greater minority representation within the health care workforce; expanded health screening and access to services (e.g., through expanded insurance coverage); establishment or enhancement of state offices of minority health; involvement of all health system stakeholders in minority health improvement efforts; and creation of a national coordinating body to promote continuing state-based activities to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities.