The Debate Over Race and Disease

Part three of a series on healthcare disparities among the races.

In the search for what causes racial health disparities, some experts point to the affects of racism, others point to biology, and still others say the answer combines elements of both.

Recent breakthroughs in our understanding of genetics have given scientists more clues about what causes disease, but researchers and doctors face pitfalls as they try to use the findings to reduce inequalities in care.

In the third and final segment of our series on racial disparities in healthcare, WBUR's Martha Bebinger looks at the current debate on the relationship of biology, race, and disease.