ASHP Statement on Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care

Health disparities continue to be a major public health problem confronting the U.S. health care system. These disparities arise from a complex set of factors, including social and economic inequality, cultural and linguistic barriers, and persistent racial and ethnic discrimination. Evidence continues to emerge, however, that some health disparities are attributable to differences in the quality of health care provided to different racial and ethnic groups. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) believes that all patients, regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, age, sexual orientation, religion, physical or mental disability (or impairment), education, socioeconomic status, diagnosis, or limitations in access, have the right to highquality health care that reflects knowledge of, sensitivity to, and respect for their differences. Pharmacists who practice in hospitals and health systems (“health-system pharmacists”), working individually and in coordination with interested organizations and other health care professionals, can play a leading role in building culturally competent systems of care to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in health care by