complete wk 1-2

Health Disparities as a Twenty-first Century Challenge

As leaders in health care become more acutely aware of health disparities, the pressure increases to develop culturally competent organizations. Reflect on this unit's studies, with special attention to the following:

• The Department of Health and Human Services report Healthy People 2010, including goal number 2, "Eliminate health disparities."
• The data provided in Figures 1-1 and 1-2, and the related discussion about disparities in health care in Chapter 1 of the Kosoko-Lasaki, Cook, and O'Brien text, pages 1–4.

In one page or less, answer the following questions:

• If cultural competence is a national goal, what factors must health care leadership consider?
• Discuss differences in quality of health care versus unequal treatment. Considering health disparities, what contributing factors do you think are important?

Take a position on these issues, provide specific examples and relevant experiences, and cite assigned readings or outside reading or research as appropriate to support your position.

Response Guidelines

Read the posts of your peers and respond to at least two. Substantively reflect and analyze the posts you respond to, considering the following:

• Read and examine what your peers say about health disparities. Do you agree or respectfully disagree?
• Develop and present follow-up questions or supporting statements that may help clarify how your perspective differs.