What can be a consequence of healthcare disparities?

The selection highlighting worsening health outcomes for marginalized groups is supported by a significant body of research demonstrating the impact of healthcare disparities. When certain populations face barriers to accessing quality healthcare—due to factors such as socioeconomic status, race, geographic location, or systemic inequality—they are more likely to experience poorer health outcomes compared to more privileged groups. Disparities in healthcare access lead to differences in disease prevention, treatment effectiveness, and overall health status, resulting in higher rates of morbidity and mortality among underserved populations.

Recognizing this consequence underscores the importance of targeted interventions and policies aimed at addressing and reducing these disparities, ensuring that all groups have the opportunity to achieve optimal health. The other options suggest outcomes that do not align with the realities of healthcare disparities; for instance, the idea of increased harmony in health outcomes and equal access to medical technologies does not reflect the uneven distribution of care experienced by marginalized groups. Similarly, theories of improved resource allocation would not materialize without addressing the underlying inequities that lead to disparities in the first place.