Minority Health Issues: 4 Ways Nurse Practitioners Are Standing Up to Racial Health Disparities by Joyce Knestrick, CRNP, FAANP

Health disparities make it harder for racial and ethnic minorities to live their healthiest lives. From cultural beliefs, diet and exercise habits to fundamental problems accessing care, minorities face unique challenges. As a result, members of these populations tend to live sicker, with a greater incidence of chronic conditions and die younger.

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are on a path to change that. Here are four ways NPs and health-care providers are combating health disparities on the front lines:

1. Improving access to care. NPs are flooding the provider workforce and offsetting physician shortages.
2. Broadening coverage. NPs are more likely to work in underserved areas.
3. Building relationships. NPs spend more time with patients and focus more on lifelong wellness and prevention.
4. Counseling for better health. NPs are trained to teach patients better self-care, which improves outcomes, especially for people with chronic conditions.

Health disparities have persisted for far too long, but NPs are out to change that. Visit a nurse practitioner today to learn how you can improve your health.

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