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This 2006 survey of 4,157 randomly selected U.S. adults compared perceptions of health care disparities among fourteen racial and ethnic groups to those of whites. Findings suggest that many ethnic minority groups view their health care situations differently and, often, more negatively than whites. A substantial proportion perceived discrimination in receiving health care, and many felt that they would not receive the best care if they were sick. Most differences remained when socioeconomic characteristics were controlled for. The variety of responses across racial groups demonstrates the importance of examining ethnic subgroups separately rather than combined into a single category. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Opinion surveys conducted in 2006 show that health care is an important but second-tier issue in terms of priorities for government action. Americans' top health care concerns are mostly related to economic insecurity: rising costs and the problems of the uninsured. The biggest perceived health threats are cancer, HIV/AIDS, and avian flu. Although most Americans do not think that the health system is in crisis, the public remains dissatisfied with both the country's health care and public health systems. These attitudes are likely to create a climate that is supportive of increased health spending and substantial policy changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]