Elizabeth is a 35-year-old Caucasian woman. • Elizabeth    works for the Veterans Administration; she has Blue Cross Blue Shield through the Federal Employee Health Benefits(FEHB Program. • She sees a gynecologist yearly and has a family history of breast cancer. • She recently noticed a lump in her breast; her doctor examines her breasts and refers her for a mammogram. After the mammogram, Elizabeth is sent for a breast tissue biopsy; the lump is benign. • Joyce (age 35, African American) works for the Social Security Administration; she has Blue Cross Blue Shield through FEHB. • She sees the same gynecologist yearly and has no known family history of breast cancer. • She recently noticed a lump in her breast; her doctor examines her breasts and believes that Joyce has fibrocystic tissue; her doctor recommends that she reduce caffeine and salt intake

1. Does this situation represent a health disparity explain in detail?

2. Should Joyce have been sent for a mammogram, like Elizabeth? Why or why not explain?

3. Do you think that the race of the patient should play a part in whether the physician refers for a follow up mammogram in this case, explain why or why not?

4. Do you think that patients are treated differently by clinicians based on their race, national origin, insurance status, or obesity?