(BPT) - COVID-19 has hit some communities very hard. That has put new attention on a long-term problem in the United States - health disparities.

Health disparities are differences in health that harm disadvantaged communities.

Understanding what causes these differences is key to addressing them. DNA alone does not explain the big differences in people's health. Researchers are looking closely at other variables that affect health. These factors include social determinants of health, such as income and environment; access to health care, healthy foods and educational opportunities; and d...