The Equity portfolio addresses disparities in the health and health care of traditionally underserved populations (including racial and ethnic minorities, and rural and homeless veterans), with the objective of understanding and eliminating disparities in VHA and ensuring equal access and quality health care for all veterans. The Equity research portfolio is focused on understanding the reasons for disparities in care, and foremost, on developing interventions to reduce disparities as well as the development of better implementation strategies to translate disparities research findings into practice. The Equity portfolio includes content areas such as: health literacy; communication; preferences and beliefs; decision-making; access; and other patient, provider and system variables and factors associated with disparities. Research on health care disparities has been a long-term priority area for HSR, and its importance has been reiterated in the current Program Announcement of HSR Priorities.
For general information about Equity, please contact:
Crystal Henderson, EdD
Scientific Portfolio Manager
Health Services Research and Development (14RDH)
Email: Crystal.Henderson1@va.gov