Why is it important to examine racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare?

 Why is it important to examine racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare?
I need replies to those 2 discussions. Use in-text citation
1. Why is it important to examine racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare?
It is essential to continuously examine racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare to ensure equal treatment, especially as nurses, as we spend the most time with patients. We serve as our patients’ advocates, so it is vital for us in our role to voice when patients are receiving inadequate care and management due to racial and ethnic backgrounds. We should also keep in mind that environmental and social factors, such as employment and education, can contribute to experiences of disparities (Smedley et al., 2003). Bringing in outside factors creates complexity to the situation and makes it difficult, and sometimes feels impossible, for possible resolutions.
Disparities also include diseases that are prevalent among specific racial or ethnic groups compared to others. An example would be how Black Americans are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than White patients. The National Institutes of Health (2018) states that Black people are twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes, increasing over 30 years. Improving patient-centered care and self-management includes delving into other risk factors contributing to the higher rate. In the case of diabetes, looking into the residential areas is an essential risk factor to consider. Where I live, there is a McDonald’s down the street from me, a Popeyes about two streets away with three convenience stores within the four corners of my street, and a Keyfood as the only grocery store within walking distance. Such neighborhoods, especially those low or middle in socioeconomic status, could lack access to healthier and affordable dietary options (Chlebowy, 2017). Poor dietary consumption is known to contribute to the development of diabetes, so this illustrates how these external factors contribute to these disparities.
References
Chlebowy, D. O., Coty, M.-B., Fu, L.,