Health disparities in the United States : social class, race, ethnicity, and health

XV, 295 S. : Ill., graph. Darst.

Includes bibliographical references and index

Introduction to the social roots of health disparities -- What is "health"? how should we define it? how should we measure it? -- The relationship between socioeconomic status and health, or, "they call it 'poor health' for a reason" -- Understanding how low social status leads to poor health -- Race, ethnicity, and health -- Race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and health: which is more important in affecting health status? -- All things being equal, does race/ethnicity affect how physicians treat patients? -- Why does race/ethnicity affect the way physicians treat patients? -- When, if ever, is it appropriate to use a patient's race/ethnicity to guide medical decisions? -- What should we do to reduce health disparities?