WASHINGTON (AP) — From cradle to grave, minority populationstend to suffer poorer health and get poorer health care than whiteAmericans. In a first-of-its-kind report, the government isrecommending steps to reduce those disparities.

The plan being released Friday runs the gamut from improvingdental care for poor children to tapping "promotoras," savvycommunity health workers who can help guide their Spanish-speakingneighbors in seeking treatment.

But the government acknowledges that giving everyone an equalshot at living a healthy life depends on far more than what happensinside a doctor's office — or steps that federal health officialscan take.

"It's also a product of where people live, labor, learn, playand pray," Dr. Howard Koh, assistant secretary of Health and HumanServices, told The Associated Press. "We really need a fullcommitment from the country to achieve these goals."

HHS wouldn't put a dollar figure on its own pending projects,but said it plans to pay for them with money already in hand andnot subject to Congress' ongoing budget battle.

The tight economy casts doubt on how much states and othergroups may be able to chip in, said Dr. Paul Jarris, executivedirector of the Association of State and Territorial HealthOfficials. But "we'll never be a healthy nation unless we addressthese inequities," Jarris said. "There's a lot of momentum finallybuilding" to do so.

Recent years have brought some improvements in healthdisparities, although racial and ethnic minorities still lag inmany areas — from higher infant mortality rates to lower overalllife expectancy. In between, they're more likely to suffer from ahost of illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney diseaseand asthma.

Part of the problem is access to care: Minorities make up morethan half of the 50 million people who are uninsured, the HHSreport says. The Obama administration's year-old health-careoverhaul addresses some of the insurance gaps.

But there's a growing appreciation that disparities are morecomplex. Even geography plays a big role — in shared ancestry andcustoms, local industry, easy access to fresh fruits andvegetables, and how easy and safe it is to get physical activity ina particular community.

Among the HHS plans outlined in Friday's report:

—Working with states to increase by 10 percent the number ofpoor children who receive preventive dental care, includingcavity-blocking sealants.

—Hiring trusted local people to serve as community healthworkers who can help diabetics understand and stick to theirdoctor's care instructions. A Medicare pilot program has begun inMississippi and Texas, and will spread to other areas.

—Increasing use of trained promotoras, the Spanish term forthose trusted locals. Head Start will use them to direct parents tohealth services.

—Developing reimbursement incentives to improve the quality ofcare for minority populations, such as better prevention of heartdisease and strokes.

—New studies comparing which treatments work best for diabetes,asthma, arthritis and heart disease in minority populations.

—Creating an online national registry of certified interpretersthat doctors or hospitals can use for patients who don't speakEnglish.

—State grants to measure and improve community asthma care. HHSheld meetings around the country to gather input from state andlocal officials, community groups and average citizens on barriersto health equality, and a separate report reflects strategies forcommunity efforts.

That inclusiveness should "bring more people to the work ofeliminating disparities," said Cheryl Boyce, former director of theOhio Commission on Minority Health. "It has to trickle down intocommunity action."