Health What Are Health Disparities Why It s Important to Fight for Health Equity—Especially Right Now Skip to main content Close Select your preferred language English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog Menu Close Call 1-800-CEDARS-1 toggle search form Close Los Angeles, 13 August 2020 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles Health What Are Health Disparities Why It s Important to Fight for Health Equity—Especially Right Now In order to fight health disparities, it can help to get care from physician who understands your personal needs and risk factors. Photo by Cedars-Sinai. Kyle Monk MD wear Mask Health.com recently interviewed Zul Surani, MPH, director of Community Outreach and Engagement & Operations at the Cancer Research Center for Health Equity at Cedars-Sinai, about health disparities in the United States, including those related to COVID-19 (coronavirus). As Health.com reported, the novel coronavirus pandemic has shown that health disparities – preventable, poor health outcomes experienced by socially disadvantaged populations – continue to be a problem in the U.S. For example, Black people are often bearing the brunt of severe outcomes from COVID-19. A recent analysis conducted by the non-partisan research group APM Research Lab, found that Black people are dying from the virus at 2.4 times the rate of their white counterparts, according to Health.com. Surani explained that negative consequences of health disparities are wide-reaching. "In the cancer field, for example, delayed diagnosis of cancers that could be treatable is an issue of health disparity," Surani told Health.com. "If cancer is diagnosed early and people have access to the right medications, that can lead to a better quality of life for people." He suggested that people can combat disparities, like those related to cancer, by finding the right healthcare provider-someone who understands your personal needs and risk factors. "If you're LGBTQI, for example, ask for an LGBTQI provider who you feel that you can be honest and authentic with," Surani told Health.com. And while it may be daunting to tackle a big issue like health disparities, Surani said everyone can help fix the problem. "Being aware that health disparities exist, and demanding equality is important," Surani said. Click here to read the complete story from Health.com. Related Stories RSS feed - Related Stories (opens in new window) View all headlines - Related Stories HealthDay Black Women Less Likely to Get Laparoscopic Fibroid Surgeries October 07, 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles HealthDay recently interviewed Rebecca J. Schneyer, MD, a resident in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program at Cedars-Sinai, about a study she led that found Black and Hispanic women were less likely than white women to receive minimally … Read more KCRW Want New Omicron Booster Wait at Least 2 Months After Last Shot October 06, 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles KCRW program Press Play recently featured Rita Shane, PharmD, vice president and chief pharmacy officer at Cedars-Sinai, discussing who qualifies for the updated COVID-19 booster and how long patients must wait before getting the shot.The Centers … Read more ABC 7 Spider-Man Swings by 4-Year-Old Leukemia Patient s Birthday Party at Cedars-Sinai September 30, 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles ABC 7 recently profiled Cedars-Sinai patient Jabari Henley, who celebrated his fourth birthday with a special superhero at Guerin Children's newly opened inpatient facility.The Lifedriven Foundation helped throw Henley a surprise party in the Guerin … Read more Show previous items Show next items Contact the Media Team Email: [email protected] Contact Share this release Health What Are Health Disparities Why It s Important to Fight for Health Equity—Especially Right Now Share on: Twitter Share on: Facebook Share on: LinkedIn Search Our Newsroom Social media Visit our Facebook page (opens in new window) Follow us on Twitter (opens in new window) Visit our Youtube profile (opens in new window) (opens in new window) Latest news 07 Oct 2022 - HealthDay Black Women Less Likely to Get Laparoscopic Fibroid Surgeries 07 Oct 2022 - Faculty Publications: Sept. 29-Oct. 6 07 Oct 2022 - Fine-Tuning Organ-Chip Technology 06 Oct 2022 - KCRW Want New Omicron Booster Wait at Least 2 Months After Last Shot 05 Oct 2022 - Cedars-Sinai Schedules Free Flu Vaccine Clinics 04 Oct 2022 - Cedars-Sinai Showcases Hispanic and Latinx Art Newsroom Home