The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), part of the National Institutes of Health, has launched an initiative to support research to better understand and address disparities in surgical care and outcomes for disadvantaged populations. The new surgical disparities research program will involve collaborations among several NIH institutes and centers, along with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Full funding levels will be determined by the number of meritorious grant applications received.

Health disparities are the differences in health status and outcomes that are most often observed across different racial and ethnic populations, as well as across differing socioeconomic status. These disparities can include higher rates of chronic disabling conditions, greater co-morbidity, and greater risk of premature death, as well as poorer quality of life, worse functioning and prolonged recovery from disease.

Research has demonstrated that the benefits of surgical procedures are not equal across the population. For example, a study of surgical disparities in the United States showed an increase in surgical mortality rates among patients with lower socioeconomic status independent of race, age, access to care, hospital facility or insurance status.

For the full news release from NIH, please visit here.