This document discusses racial disparities in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. It provides an overview of health care disparities, noting they are differences in quality of care that are not due to access, clinical needs, or patient preferences. The document reviews literature finding racial minorities receive fewer cardiovascular procedures than whites. It also outlines federal programs and recommendations from the Institute of Medicine to address disparities through increased data collection, provider training, and health system changes. The role of perfusionists in efforts to eliminate disparities through education and data collection is discussed.