Health Disparities Health disparity is a type of difference in health that is closely linked with social or economic disadvantage. Health disparities negatively affect groups of people who have systematically experienced greater social or economic obstacles to health. These obstacles stem from characteristics historically linked to discrimination or exclusion, such as race or ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, gender, mental health, sexual orientation, or geographic location. Other characteristics include cognitive, sensory, or physical disability. Learn more about efforts being made to address STD health disparities. Additional data on STD rates by age, gender, and geographic location are found in CDC's 2009 Sexually Transmitted Diseases Surveillance Report. CDC is partnering with multiple organizations, agencies, and community leaders to achieve health equity. Health equity occurs when all people have "the opportunity to 'attain their full health potential' and no one is 'disadvantaged from achieving this potential because of their social position or other socially determined circumstance.'"   CDC recently published an NCHHSTP White Paper on Social Determinants of Health called Establishing a Holistic Framework to Reduce Inequities in HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STDs, and Tuberculosis in the United States. This white paper outlines the strategic vision of CDC’s NCHHSTP for reducing health disparities and promoting health equity. The purpose of the white paper is to advance a holistic approach to the design of public health programs to advance the health of communities and increase their opportunities for healthy living.