Differences in Beliefs About the Causes of Health Disparities in Black and White Nurses

Purpose To determine whether Black and White nurses' beliefs about causes of health disparities differ. Conclusions Analyses reveal that overall Black nurses perceived external factors to contribute significantly more to health disparities than White nurses. Black nurses considered four specific causes dealing with physician and societal factors, such as “discrimination in society,” to be more significant contributors to health disparities than White nurses, whereas White nurses considered genetic factors to be a greater contributor. Practice Implications Different views of the causes of health disparities are discussed, particularly in light of cultural competency training and other efforts to ameliorate health disparities.