Maryland Chartbook of Minority Health And Minority Health Disparities Data With Sections on Gender-specific Health And Jurisdiction-specific Health

Abstract

The Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities (MHHD) was established in the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in 2004 by legislation passed in the Maryland General Assembly session of that same year. One of the charges to MHHD is the compilation and distribution of minority health and health disparities data. This Chartbook is one response to that charge. Adequate and accurate data are essential to any effort to identify and address health problems in general, and health disparities in particular. With regard to health disparities, whether defined by ethnicity/race or other factors (geography, gender, income, education, etc.), data are required to complete three essential tasks: 1. Identify and measure disparities 2. Determine the causes of the disparity and plan interventions 3. Track progress toward eliminating health disparities The compilation of Maryland health disparities data in this Chartbook is intended to enable each of these three critical functions.