Just as some groups of people in the US may be healthier than others, some groups receive better health care than others. For example, poor people are more likely to go without needed medical care. In comparison to Caucasians, Asians, African Americans and Hispanics are less likely to have a regular doctor.  African American veterans are less likely to receive surgery as a treatment for heart attack. Differences in access and in the quality of health care received are called health care disparities.

1. Peterson et al: Impact of Race on Cardiac Care and Outcomes in Veterans With Acute Myocardial Infarction. 
   Medical Care 2002 Jan: 40(1): 86-96.
2. Health United States 2003, With Chartbook on Trends in th Health of Americans; National Center for Health Statistics.  Hyattsville, MD 2002: p.249.