Health Disparities

Nondiscriminatory Quality Healthcare Services

A diverse group of parents and children Researchers have found that some populations, including certain racial and ethnic groups, limited English proficient persons, people with disabilities, and the elderly, are disproportionately affected by barriers which prevent or decrease access to healthcare services. In addition, there are measurable differences in the use of healthcare services and the quality of healthcare services received among various population groups.

In an effort to ensure nondiscrimination and increase the number of individuals who have access to quality healthcare services, OCR investigates entities that receive funding from HHS to ensure they comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws. One of those laws, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, protects people of every race, color and national origin from unlawful discrimination. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. The Age Discrimination Act of 1975 prohibits discrimination on the basis of age. Through the effective enforcement of these Federal civil rights laws, OCR seeks to decrease healthcare disparities and ensure access to quality healthcare services.

OCR ensures that people have equal access to and an opportunity to receive services from all HHS funded programs. Persons who believe they (or someone else) have been discriminated against -- because of race, color, national origin, age, or disability -- in health care or human services may file a complaint with OCR.