Disparities in health care quality within the U.S. population are emerging as a significant issue. The Fund's 1994 minority health survey found that minority Americans, particularly blacks and Hispanics, experience serious inequities in health care access, use, and quality. To learn more about these disparities and the nature of care delivered to minority and low-income patients, the Fund will conduct a new survey on health care quality for underserved groups in 2001. The survey will explore previously unrecognized factors that may affect health outcomes, such as patient preferences and doctor-patient communication. Findings will help policymakers, health care leaders, and health professionals understand the causes and human costs of disparities in care, as well as inform future projects in this area.