The inception of the PA profession was a response to the shortage of health care providers in the US. The fight continues as multiple factors such as poverty, environmental threats, lack of access to health care, and educational inequities continue to result in health disparities. Healthcare providers should strive to acknowledge the importance of culture and the dynamics that impact access to health care. Disparities are preventable inequities. Barriers to access include lack of adequate insurance, patient perception of needs, and resources that facilitate access to healthcare.
What are Health Disparities?
The US Department of Health and Human Services defines health disparities as “a particular type of health difference that is closely linked with social, economic, and/or environmental disadvantage. Health disparities adversely affect groups of people who have systematically experienced greater obstacles to health based on their racial or ethnic group; religion; socioeconomicstatus; gender; age; mental health; cognitive, sensory, or physical disability; sexual orientation or gender identity; geographic location; or other characteristics historically linked to discrimination or exclusion.”
Click here to read about the PSPA’s commitment to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the PA profession in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
2026 Competition
The Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) Committee invites you to enter this year’s competition!
- ONE pre-PA student and TWO current PA students could receive cash prizes!
- PSPA fellows will have the opportunity to gain free conference registration and a one-year PSPA membership!
In years past, the committee has received essays, videos, and PowerPoint presentations for this competition. We will continue to encourage creativity by welcoming multimedia projects for the 2026 competition! All applicants MUST be PSPA members at time of submission!
2026 Competition Topic: Closing the Gap: Health Disparities in Everyday Care
Health disparities are often discussed at a population level, but many of the most impactful inequities occur in everyday clinical encounters, educational environments, and community settings.
For the 2026 competition, participants are invited to identify a health disparity they have personally observed in healthcare, education, or community service. This disparity may be small or large, systemic or interpersonal – but it should be real, tangible, and meaningful.
Your project should address the following:
1. Identify the disparity
2. Describe a health disparity you have witnessed or experienced firsthand. This may involve barriers related to access, communication, cost, time, technology, language,
trust, bias, system design, or social determinants of health.
3. Explain why it matters
4. Discuss how this disparity impacts patient care, health outcomes, education, or equity. You may reference literature, data, or personal observation.
5. Propose a solution
6. Present a realistic and actionable intervention. Solutions do not need to be large-scale or fully implemented. Small, practical ideas – workflow changes, educational tools,
communication strategies, policy adjustments, or community-based interventions – are encouraged.
ALL SUBMISSIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY JULY 31ST AT 11:59 PM in order to qualify. Email completed projects to ideacommittee@pspa.net.
For further information regarding 2026 competition guidelines and eligibility, please click here.
Please join the IDEA Committee and let us know about efforts to take to address healthcare disparities in your current practice. Contact Jane Arenas by email at &aWRlYWNvbW1pdHRlZSBhdCBwc3BhIGRvdCBuZXQ=& if you would like to be contacted by the committee.