A new Institute of Medicine report presents compelling evidence that "minorities tend to receive lower-quality health care than whites do, even when insurance status, income, age and severity of conditions are comparable". Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care is a comprehensive study of health disparities in the United States. "Although myriad sources contribute to these disparities, some evidence suggests that bias, prejudice, and stereotyping on the part of health care providers may contribute to differences in care."

In the report's section on Federal-level and Other Initiatives to Address Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care (Appendix C), the Provider's Guide to Quality & Culture was the only web-site discussed. The report states:

The Provider's Guide to Quality and Culture serves as a source for health professionals seeking resources on cultural issues within the context of quality of care. The Guide emerged out of the Quality Center of the Bureau of Primary Health Care and was developed by Management Sciences for Health, a non-profit organization focused on the improvement of global health. The Guide responds to 4 out of the 6 national aims articulated by the National Institute of Medicine's (IOM) Crossing the Quality Chasm report (Safety, Effectiveness, Patient-centeredness and Equity).

The Guide may be reached through www.bphc.hrsa.gov/quality (follow link to Provider's Guide to Quality & Culture). Denice Cora-Bramble, M.D., (BPHC Quality Center Director), Leonard G. Epstein, Quality Center Senior Cultural Advisor) and Marsha Davenport, M.D. (BHPr Policy and Planning acting director) were the only HRSA representatives serving on liaison panels for this IOM report.

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