Partnership, Research, and Leadership to Advance Health Equity and Eliminate Health Disparities

Scientific and technological advances have had profound effects on the quality and longevity of human life. Yet, despite these advances, disparities in health outcomes persist for many Americans, as evidenced by alarming rates of disease incidence, morbidity, and mortality1. For decades, there have been numerous efforts to understand the root causes of health and health care disparities and to ultimately eliminate them. To address this complex problem, federal agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Veterans Affairs, have fostered a coordinated action in response to this prevailing issue and have provided leadership for advancing health equity.