This volume presents major findings and recommendations of the Department of Health and Human Service's (DHHS) Task Force on Black and Minority Health. The recommendations, which are based on data collected from a number of sources, are intended to guide DHHS in developing programs and policies that address the continuing disparity in the burden of death and illness experienced by Blacks and other minority Americans as compared to the national population as a whole. The report is divided into three major sections. The first presents a general introduction and overview of Task Force activities. The second section provides the recommendations, organized into six categories: (1) health information and education; (2) delivering the financing health services; (3) health professions' development; (4) cooperative efforts with the non-Federal sector; (5) data development; and (6) research agenda. The third section presents findings which account for the health status disparity. This section is organized under these sub-headings: (1) social characteristics of minority populations; (2) mortality and morbidity indicators; (3) summary reports of the task force subcommittees (which studied cancer; cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases; chemical dependency; diabetes; homicide, suicide, and unintentional injuries; and infant mortality and low birthweight); (4) health services and resources for minorities; (5) inventory of DHHS program efforts; and (6) survey of non-Federal organizations. Appendices are included, which list the members of the task force and its subcommittees, task force staff, and commissioned papers. (KH)