Illustration by Brian Stauffer
Cover Story: Exploring Health Disparities
In this special issue of Kansas Medicine + Science, we are taking a closer look at the impact health disparities are having on the health of Americans.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies health disparities as, “preventable differences in the burden of disease, injury, violence or opportunities to achieve optimal health that are experienced by socially disadvantaged populations.” a health care disparity also refers to differences between population groups in health insurance coverage, access to care and quality of care.
Like many aspects of public health, the root causes of health disparities are complex. Health is influenced by so many factors that it can be difficult to pinpoint just why a gap between two groups is so wide. Social drivers — like racism, sexism, ableism, classism or homophobia — can perpetuate inequities by prioritizing one group over another.
As you will read in this issue, the researchers and clinicians at the University of Kansas Medical Center are using innovative approaches to address the health disparities being experienced by populations in Kansas and throughout the country.
Also in this issue
About Kansas Medicine + Science
ON THE COVER
Illustration by Brian Stauffer
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Donna Peck
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Grace Reap
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Grace Reap
Kristi Birch
Anne Christiansen-Bullers
Donna Peck
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Selena Jabara
Elissa Monroe
ILLUSTRATION
Brian Stauffer
Dave Cutler
Grace Reap
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS ADMINISTRATION
Douglas A. Girod, M.D.
Chancellor, University of Kansas
Robert D. Simari, M.D.
Executive Vice Chancellor, KU Medical Center
Akinlolu O. Ojo, M.D., Ph.D., MBA
Executive Dean, KU School of Medicine
Sally Maliski, Ph.D., RN
Dean, KU School of Nursing
Abiodun Akinwuntan, Ph.D.
Dean, KU School of Health Professions
Kansas Medicine + Science is published by the Office of Communications at the University of Kansas Medical Center. To view Kansas Medicine + Science online, go to kumc.edu/communications. The entire issue is copyrighted and no part may be reproduced without prior permission. Patient photos are used with permission. The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the university’s programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and are the Title IX coordinators for their respective campuses: Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity & Access, IOA@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY (for the Lawrence, Edwards, Parsons, Yoder, and Topeka campuses); Director, Equal Opportunity Office, Mail Stop 7004, 4330 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Fairway, KS 66205, 913-588-8011, 711 TTY (for the Wichita, Salina, and Kansas City, Kansas medical center campuses).