Diversity competence in medicine: equity, culture and practice.

Diversity in medicine is a concept that aims at improving the health care of patients and at enhancing health equity. Ethnic and racial disparities have been documented in many contexts, thus diversity competence is specifically relevant when regarding the health of migrants, ethnic minorities and other vulnerable groups. Diversity competence considers socio-economic factors in health care, as well as the influence of ethnic and cultural background on how health and illness are perceived. It should therefore be a core concern for all health practitioners and a central focus in any health institution.