Health disparity is illustrated by which example?

• A. An overall increase in life expectancy.
• B. Difference in mortality between groups, such as men and women.
• C. An equal distribution of disease across a population.
• D. A standard measure of hospital efficiency.

Answer: (B)

Health disparities are differences in health outcomes among population groups that are systematic and avoidable, reflecting inequities in access, exposures, and social conditions. The example that best illustrates this is a difference in mortality between groups, such as men and women, because it shows an unequal burden of death across groups rather than a uniform outcome. A rise in life expectancy across the whole population indicates overall improvement, not a disparity between groups. An equal distribution of disease would imply no disparity, and a standard measure of hospital efficiency concerns health system performance rather than differences among groups in outcomes.