As health reform legislation takes shape, federal officials and legislators are taking steps to make sure that existing health system disparities are addressed.

This follows on a new report by HHS, which concludes, among other things, that 48 percent of all African-American adults suffer from a chronic disease, compared with 39 percent of the general population.

For example, 8 percent of white Americans develop diabetes compared with 15 percent of African-Americans, 14 percent of Hispanics and 18 percent of native Americans. Another disturbing statistic is that African-American men are 50 percent more likely than whites to have prostate cancer, while Hispanic and Vietnamese women have disproportionate rates of cervical cancer.

Among other steps, members of a group of congressional caucuses addressing minority issues have introduced legislation that would require every federal health agency to develop a strategy action plan to eliminate racial and health disparities.

To learn more about this report:
- read this HHS press release [1]

Related Articles:
Study: Reform could reduce health disparities [2]
Racial disparities persist in health outcomes [3]
Study: 'Medical homes' cut racial care disparities [4]
Study: Hispanics get lower-quality medical care [5]