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Health Disparities

Racial and ethnic disparities or gaps in health status are considered to be differences in the burden of disease, disability, illness and death experienced between racial and ethnic minority populations and whites. Minority populations in Florida continue to experience disparities in illness and death.

In order to reduce and eliminate disparities in Orange County, this program provides community health education and technical assistance to community-based organizations that serve racial and ethnic populations, provides partnership development, and participates in ongoing research to address identified issues within minority populations.

Over the last 30 years, the population of Orange County has increased by over 160%. The two largest racial and ethnic groups are Black (21.7%) and Hispanics (27.0%).

• Blacks had the highest cancer death rates for all cancers but particularly high for lung, colon and prostate cancers.
• Breast and lung cancer are the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among Hispanics.
• Blacks have the highest death rate as a result of stroke and diabetes.
• Hispanics have the highest death rate as a result of pneumonia and influenza.
• AIDS deaths were 6.1 times the higher among the Blacks than Whites.
• Blacks have the highest rates of low birth weight and infant mortality than any other racial/ethnic group.
• Black adolescents 15-17 years of age have the highest teen birth rates when compared to their peers.