Final answer:
Racial minorities and low-income individuals are most likely to experience health and healthcare disparities due to socioeconomic disadvantages, systemic issues in healthcare quality, and patterns of chronic diseases. Health disparities are also faced by gender and LGBTQ+ communities due to lower quality of care and systemic inequalities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The individual most likely to experience a disparity in health and health care is neither a wealthy executive with access to quality healthcare nor a middle-aged professional with comprehensive health insurance. Instead, disparities are more prevalent among racial minorities and low-income individuals who tend to have less economic power and consequently bear the brunt of poor health outcomes. Factors contributing to health inequality include higher rates of unemployment, obesity, poverty, and lower rates of home ownership, education, and wealth. These disparities are not solely an issue of access to care but are also due to systemic issues within the healthcare system that result in poorer quality of care for racial and ethnic minority groups, even after adjusting for insurance differences.
For example, African Americans suffer disproportionately from chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes and have higher morbidity and mortality rates compared to White Americans. This is compounded by a history of medical mistrust and underrepresentation in medical research. Health disparities also extend to gender and sexuality, with African American women and LGBTQ+ individuals often receiving lower quality of care. Therefore, the individuals most affected by health and healthcare disparities are those who are socially and economically disadvantaged, including racial minorities, those with lower income, and those facing stigma due to their identity.