Introduction to the Active Living Research Supplement: Disparities in Environments and Policies that Support Active Living

Health disparities may be defined as a difference in health condition or rank; lack of equality in opportunity, treatment or status; and an inequity that is unfair, unjust, unnecessary, and avoidable [1]. Disparities can occur by race/ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, geography, age, disability status, and sexual orientation. Health disparities are associated with a lesser quality of life and higher rates of morbidity and mortality among one group compared with another. During the past quarter century, a host of public and private initiatives have been implemented to eliminate health disparities and achieve health equity (e.g., Healthy People 2010 and 2020 (www.healthypeople.gov), Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH; www.cdc.gov/reach), Excellence in Partnerships for Community Outreach, Research on Health Disparities, and Training (Project EXPORT; http:// www.nimhd.nih.gov/our_programs/centerofexcellence.asp).