Which statement best defines health disparities?

• A. Preventable differences in health outcomes, access to care, or quality of care
• B. Unavoidable differences due to genetics
• C. Differences that are improving universally
• D. Differences in healthcare provider opinions

Answer: (A)

Health disparities are preventable and unjust differences in health outcomes, access to care, or the quality of care that occur across different population groups. These gaps stem from social, economic, and environmental factors and systemic barriers, not from biology alone. The best statement captures that these differences are avoidable and tied to how people receive care and achieve health. Attributing disparities to genetics implies they are unchangeable, universal improvement ignores persistent gaps, and differences in provider opinions don’t reflect actual outcomes or access.