Of the nation's AIDS patients, a disproportionate number are Latino or African American. Poverty, obesity, and nutrition are often blamed, he says, but racism is also a factor. It's a blatant indictment of the health-care system itself. One of his primary tasks is to help the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reach its goal of eliminating health disparities by 2010. The disparities should alarm everyone, Williams says, because by 2050, African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, and Native Americans will actually make up the majority of the U.S. population.
Education can solve part of the problem.
Doctors must also change their ways, he says, explaining that minorities, even those who visit a doctor, are less likely to receive preventive procedures such as mammography, as well as timely diagnoses of diseases such as diabetes. Hiring more minority health-care workers, from receptionists to doctors, will also help, Williams adds. He says Latinos, for example, often complain that doctors and office staff treat them with disrespect and don't speak Spanish. Williams and the CDC are helping to ease that problem by offering internships to about 100 minority students each year. Emily Gold A gathering of alumni filmmakers Breaking into Hollywood will never be easy, but Charlie Meister '81 is trying to make it easier.