THE AUTHOR
Thomas A. LaVeist is professor of public health and founding director of the Center for Health Disparities Solutions at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Tables and Figures xia
Preface xvii
About the Author xix
1 Historical Aspects of Race/Ethnicity and Health 1
Part One: Crosscutting Issues 13
2 Conceptual Issues in Race/Ethnicity and Health 15
3 The Demography of American Racial/Ethnic Minorities 30
Part Two: Morbidity, Mortality, and Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Health 51
4 The Epidemiological Profile of Racial/Ethnic Minorities 53
5 Mental Health 83
with Duane Thomas, Ph.D.
6 Health Care Services Among Racial/Ethnic Groups 108
Part Three: Etiology of Racial/Ethnic Differences in Health 131
7 Theories of Racial/Ethnic Differences in Health 133
8 Socioeconomic Status and Racial/Ethnic Differences in Health 157
9 Behavior and Health 180
Part Four: Racial/Ethnic Group-Specific Health Issues 203
10 African American Health Issues 205
11 American Indian and Alaska Native Health Issues 223
12 Asian and Pacific Islander Health Issues 242
13 Hispanic/Latino Health Issues 260
Part Five: Conclusions 281
14 Addressing Disparities in Health and Health Care 283
Appendix A: Case Studies 298
Appendix B: Additional Readings 303
References 308
Name Index 333
Subject Index 339

"The text is state-of-the-art in its analysis of healthdisparities from both domestic and international perspectives.Minority Populations and Health: An Introduction to HealthDisparities in the United States is a welcome addition to the fieldbecause it widens access to the complex issues underlying thehealth disparities problem. "-- Preventing Chronic Disease/CDC,October 2005
"This is a very comprehensive, evidence-based book dealing withthe health disparities that plague the United States. This is awelcome and valuable addition to the field of health care forminority groups in the United States."-- Doody's PublishersBulletin, August 2005
"Health isn't color-blind. Racial minoritiesdisproportionately suffer from some diseases, but experts say racealone doesn't completely account for the disparities.Newsweek's Jennifer Barrett Ozols spoke with Thomas LaVeist,director of the Center for Health Disparities Solutions at JohnsHopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and author of theupcoming book, "Minority Populations and Health: An Introduction toHealth Disparities in the U.S." (Jossey-Bass) about race andmedicine. "-- MSNBC/Newsweek interview with author Thomas L.LaVeist, February 2005
"The book is readable and organized to be quickly read withspecifics readily retrievable. It is comprehensive and visual."--Journal of the American Medical Association, September 2005
Minority Populations and Health is a textbook that offersa complete foundation in the core issues and theoretical frameworksfor the development of policy and interventions to address racedisparities in health-related outcomes. This book covers U.S.health and social policy, the role of race and ethnicity in healthresearch, social factors contributing to mortality, longevity andlife expectancy, quantitative and demographic analysis and access,and utilization of health services. Instructors material availableat http://www.minorityhealth.com