Equal for whom? Addressing disparities in the Canadian medical system must become a national priority

Universality is a central premise of our health care system; however, disparities in provision of health care and health outcomes occur in our system on the basis of sex, age, socioeconomic status, race and geographic location, to name a few. Our understanding of how to address these disparities is inadequate; however, addressing - not just documenting disparities must become a national priority. Canadian granting agencies should do more to support research that evaluates the root causes of disparities and tests creative interventions to remedy those disparities when they occur.