Disparities: meaning, definitions and examples

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disparities

[dɪˈspær.ə.ti ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

social justice

A difference or inequality, especially in age, rank, income, or opportunity.

Synonyms

discrepancy, disparity, inequality.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
disparities	Utilize this word when referring to differences or inequalities in a broad sense, often in social or economic aspects. Healthcare disparities between urban and rural areas are a significant issue Educational disparities often result from varying funding levels
inequality	This word is ideal for a general discussion on the state of being unequal, especially in terms of rights, status, and opportunities. Income inequality is a pressing issue in many countries Social inequality can lead to widespread dissatisfaction
discrepancy	This term is best used to describe a mismatch or an inconsistency between two or more things or data sets, often in more technical or detailed contexts. There is a discrepancy between the reported and actual sales numbers The audit revealed discrepancies in the financial statements
disparity	Similar to 'disparities', this word is suitable for pointing out inequality, but it is typically used in singular form to highlight a specific instance or type of inequality. The economic disparity between the rich and the poor is growing Gender disparity in the workplace remains a challenge

Examples of usage

There are significant disparities in access to healthcare between urban and rural areas.
The report highlights the disparities in educational outcomes based on socioeconomic status.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

statistics

The state or condition of being unequal, differing, or distinct.

Synonyms

discrepancy, inequality, variation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
disparities	Used to describe a great difference, often in contexts related to social, economic, or health differences among groups. There are significant disparities in access to healthcare between urban and rural populations. The report highlights the disparities in educational opportunities among different ethnic groups.
variation	Used to describe differences that are observed but are usually more neutral and expected, such as natural differences in characteristics or results. There is a lot of variation in climate across the regions of the country. The study examined the variation in test scores among students.
discrepancy	Used when referring to an inconsistency or lack of agreement between two or more facts, numbers, or accounts. There was a discrepancy between the reported data and the actual figures. The accountant noticed a discrepancy in the financial statements.
inequality	Often used to discuss unfair situations where some people have more rights or better opportunities than others, particularly in social, economic, or political contexts. Income inequality remains a pressing issue in many countries. The government needs to address gender inequality in the workplace.

Examples of usage

The study revealed disparities in income distribution among different demographic groups.
Gender disparities in the workplace continue to be a prominent issue.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'disparitas', meaning 'unequal' or 'uneven'.
It has been used in English since the late 14th century, typically in relation to differences in status or quality.
In earlier texts, it often referred to differences in abilities or qualities among people.

Social Sciences

Disparities can relate to income, health, education, and access to resources, affecting quality of life.
Research shows that certain groups, based on race or socioeconomic status, often experience greater disparities in health outcomes.
The 'social determinants of health' framework highlights how living conditions and environments create disparities among populations.

Education

Educational disparities refer to differences in access to quality education, often influenced by geographic and economic conditions.
Studies indicate that students from low-income families typically perform worse in standardized tests compared to their affluent peers.
Interventions aimed at closing these gaps often involve community support and increased funding for under-resourced schools.

Economics

Economic disparities are often highlighted in discussions about income inequality and wealth distribution.
The Gini coefficient is a common measure used to assess income disparity within a population, where 0 represents perfect equality and 1 represents total inequality.
According to recent reports, global wealth is increasingly concentrated in the hands of a small percentage, heightening economic disparities.

Health

Health disparities highlight unfair differences in health outcomes and access to healthcare based on various social factors.
Studies have shown that minority groups often face greater barriers to healthcare, resulting in worse overall health outcomes.
Public health efforts aim to identify and address these disparities to promote equity in health.

Translations

Translations of the word "disparities" in other languages:

🇵🇹 disparidades

🇮🇳 असमानताएँ

🇩🇪 Ungleichheiten

🇮🇩 ketidakadilan

🇺🇦 диспропорції

🇵🇱 nierówności

🇯🇵 不均衡

🇫🇷 disparités

🇪🇸 disparidades

🇹🇷 eşitsizlikler

🇰🇷 격차

🇸🇦 تفاوتات

🇨🇿 nerovnosti

🇸🇰 nerovnosti

🇨🇳 差异

🇸🇮 nepravilnosti

🇮🇸 misræmi

🇰🇿 айырмашылықтар

🇬🇪 განსხვავებები

🇦🇿 fərqliliklər

🇲🇽 disparidades

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,398, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

...
13395 undermining
13396 informally
13397 tack
13398 disparities
13399 voucher
13400 foci
13401 ganglia
...