Education and education policy influences the health of a population and has a particularly negative effect on those with a low socioeconomic status.

Physicians should be aware of the level of emotional distress and suffering that a patient is experiencing as a result of his or her illness and incorporate that into the patient's treatment plan.

Health practitioners can help reduce health disparities if they consider the implications and affect that patients' geographical location has on their health.

A physician argues that cost should not be a major consideration in a hospital's decision to provide palliative care services to patients.

A review of three journal articles shows the significant impact that poverty has on physical and mental health status, as well as all causes of mortality.

Physicians new to a case might object to an established care plan. Practice variation, clinical momentum, and how value is assigned by different parties to acute care and comfort measures can each contribute to conflict in these cases.

Physicians must express compassion when discussing risk and success rates of palliative surgery.

Physicians need to help surrogate decision makers to make treatment and end-of-life decisions for those with severe neurological damage by proving a realistic prognosis and maintain strong lines of communication.

The Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (BHCHP) seeks to build trusting relationships with patients before addressing their medical needs and to take account of their surrounding environment in treatment.

By cultivating cultural humility, physicians can address not only stereotypes and biases but also power inequalities and community inequities.