Eliminating health disparities for racial and ethnic minorities: a nursing agenda for children.

Sigrulicant gaps in the health of minority individuals in the United States have long existed. However, a recent and bold commitment stemming from the President’s Initiative on Race and Health in 1998 (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [USDHHS], 1999) pledged to eliminate disparities experienced by racial and ethnic minority populations in the following six health areas: infant mortality, cancer screening and management, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, HIV infection and AIDS, and immunizations. In Healthy People 2010 (USDHHS, ZOOO), the nation’s health objectives for the 21st century, the goal to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health is a cornerstone of the nation’s strategic plan. Goals are presented for eliminating disparities within the targeted six health areas. What are the implications of this initiative for nurses who care for children and families? What are the implications for nurse researchers?