The Department of Health and Human Services (HSS) Secretary's Task Force on Black and Minority Health releases a report that testifies: “Despite the unprecedented explosion of scientific knowledge and the phenomenal capacity of medicine to diagnose, treat and cure disease, Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans, and those of Asian/Pacific Islander heritage have not benefited fully or equitably from the fruits of science or from systems responsible for translating and using health sciences technology (Heckler, 1985).

It is the first time the U.S. government has assembled a team of health experts to conduct a comprehensive study of racial disparities in healthcare.