Researchers have noted the disproportionate disease and mortality burden borne by racial and ethnic minorities in the U.S. Efforts have been made to understand the underlying determinants of racial and ethnic health disparities, but the wide range of dissemination outlets make it difficult to keep abreast of current findings. The project investigators will conduct a comprehensive systematic review to identify articles for qualitative analysis. This brief will provide a useful synthesis for policymakers, public health professionals, and other stakeholders to support legislative policies that address social determinants and provide mechanisms by which rural Americans can achieve optimal health, particularly as they relate to the conditions that comprise the five leading causes of death. In addition to summarizing clinically disparate findings on the five leading causes of death, this project will also highlight socioeconomic components of the evidence.