Role of endocrinologists in eliminating health care disparities.

Objective: To review some of the persistent disparities in health and health care in the United States related to race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, with a focus on diabetes mellitus and obesity, and to discuss the role of endocrinologists in preventing these disparities.

Methods: Some of the efforts made by the US government, such as public health strategies, to address health disparities are outlined, and statistics about diabetes and obesity are presented.

Results: The elimination of health disparities, recognized as a national challenge for decades, is a national priority as defined in the national goals for Healthy People 2010.