Health Disparities
What are “Health Disparities?”
"Health disparities are differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and burden of diseases and other adverse health conditions that exist among specific population groups in the United States1."— National Institutes of Health
Some diseases of the heart, lung, and blood occur disproportionately in minorities. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) is addressing some of these health disparities through its multicultural education resources to support heart health interventions in ethnically diverse groups. How is this happening? Read on to find out about:
- About Health Disparities
- CHW Health Disparities Initiative
- Key Activities of the Initiative
- Role of Community Health Workers
Guide to this Website
This website provides resources to help you initiate or expand a heart health program tailored to the needs of your community. Through your efforts, we hope that community members engage in daily activities to reduce the risk of heart disease and to enjoy a healthier life for themselves and their families.
Start a Program
In this section, you will find information about implementation strategies of the CHW program. There is also a comprehensive toolkit to help you start or enhance a heart health program, information about partnering with the NHLBI, and a variety of resources which include webinars, journal articles, and program evaluation tools.
Health Education Materials
The Institute’s ethnic/racial-specific training and education tools and materials, while uniquely addressing the culture of each group, promote heart healthy behaviors and lifestyles, such as healthy eating and engaging in physical activity. Choose the right tool to reach your community.
Communities in Action
Knowing what works is essential to running successful programs in your community. This section contains implementation strategies, evaluations/outcomes, lessons learned, and success stories from different Initiative projects.
1 National Institutes of Health. (2002). Strategic Research Plan and Budget to Reduce and Ultimately Eliminate Health Disparities Volume I Fiscal Years 2002-2006.
Last reviewed: April 2017
