Health disparity refers to what?

• A. A general improvement in health outcomes across all groups.
• B. Difference in health status between two groups, such as mortality differences.
• C. A single measure of overall population health.
• D. A variation in health care costs over time.

Answer: (B)

Health disparity is about differences in health outcomes or status between different population groups, and these differences are systematic and avoidable. It focuses on how one group fares compared to another, such as mortality rates that differ by race or socioeconomic status. It’s not describing an overall improvement in health for everyone, nor a single general measure of population health, nor changes in health care costs over time. The key idea is the unequal, avoidable differences in health between groups.