Making a Difference in Disparities

Much of cardiovascular outcomes researchóincluding the work published in this journalóaddresses healthcare disparities.1ñ3 As researchers, we frequently describe disparities and, rarely, even suggest and test strategies to reduce them. But, beyond scientific publications, what is the role of the physician and researcher as social advocate and citizen to reduce disparities? That important topic is one we rarely address. Yet it has been increasingly on our minds as Editors given the growing and complex challenges we now see to the health of our patients, which range from accessing affordable care to healthy home environments to climate change.