Diversity and Health Disparities Update
We would like to share with you recent resources, interesting programs and upcoming events on the topics of health care diversity and health disparities.
NATIONAL MINORITY HEALTH MONTH
CHA Observes National Minority Health Month
Since 2002, April has been observed as National Minority Health Month, a time to focus on reducing health disparities and improving the health status of minority populations. CHA has developed some useful resources on health disparities for the ministry to use and share throughout your organization in April and throughout the year. We are also hoping that you will share information about programs aimed at creating equity in care. Let us know about CHA-member initiatives that address disparities so that we can continue tell the full story of the ministry's work in this area and share successful practices. Please send information about initiatives your organization has developed to CHA at [email protected].
A 2017 Prayer for Minority Health Month and additional information and resources, including tools from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, can be found on CHA's website at www.chausa.org/minorityhealthmonth.
New CMS Studies on Disparities by Gender, Race and Ethnicity
As part of its observance of National Minority Health Month, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) released two reports looking at differences in care received by men and women in Medicare Advantage (MA). The first report compares quality of care for women and men. In the second report quality data on care received by racial and ethnic groups are shown separately for women and men because there is evidence that racial and ethnic differences in health care may vary by gender. Additional CMS OMH resources on health equity and National Minority Health Month can be found here.
EVENTS
Institute for Diversity Summer Enrichment Program
Looking for Exceptional Graduate Student Interns for Summer 2017? The Institute for Diversity is still seeking Host Sites for the 2017 Summer Enrichment Program (SEP). The program places diverse, graduate students pursuing advanced degrees in health care administration or a related field in 10-week, paid internships at health care organizations. Experienced administrators serve as preceptors and mentors, providing support and career advice as well as those critical early-career connections. To learn more about the program or to apply, click here or contact Jasmin Clark, membership and education specialist, at (312) 422-2658 or [email protected].
2017 Practical Playbook National Meeting: Improving Population Health Collaborative Strategies that Work
The Practical Playbook initiative is a private/public collaboration dedicated to bringing primary care and public health sectors together in ways that will yield substantial and lasting improvements in the health of individuals, communities, and populations. The 2017 Practical Playbook National Meeting will take place at the Westin Washington, D.C. City Center, May 31 through June 2, 2017. Join the Practical Playbook, representatives from primary care, public health and community partners, and stakeholders in population health across sectors and continue a national dialogue on best practices for effective collaborations. For more information, visit: http://www.practicalplaybook.org/section/national-meeting-2017
Public Health Foundation and Association for Community Health Improvement Webinar: Moving from Assessment to Action in Community Health Improvement
Join the Public Health Foundation (PHF) and the Association for Community Health Improvement (ACHI) on Monday, May 1, 2017 from 3 to 4 P.M. EDT for a webinar discussing the "Using The Community Guide for Community Health Improvement" initiative. The initiative is aimed at helping hospitals use evidence-based recommendations and findings found in "The Community Guide." The webinar will offer an overview of the initiative to date and highlight the stories of those using it to take action and implement community health improvement activities to address behavioral health need. CHA is a partner in the initiative. This webinar is free and open to all who are interested. Register here. Instructions for accessing the meeting will be provided upon registration.
REPORTS AND RESOURCES
Institute for Diversity Podcast: Race and Medicine — A Physician's Perspective
Each month the Institute for Diversity in Health Management offers a Diversity Dialogue Webinar on a topic related to diversity or health disparities. For April the Institute is hosting a complimentary on-demand podcast which you can listen to at your convenience. The podcast will feature Sachin H. Jain, MD, MBA, chief executive officer (CEO) at CareMore Health System and a consulting professor of medicine at the Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Jain will share an excerpt from his article, "The Racist Patient" and discuss the prescription for a medical culture that allows patients cross the line with racial discrimination and how to support all care providers with direct contact with difficult patients. Listen to the podcast.
Association for Community Health Improvement: Community Health Assessment Toolkit
The Association for Community Health Improvement has launched the Community Health Assessment Toolkit. The toolkit is a web-based tool offering a nine-step pathway to guide and support a robust, community-engaged health assessment process. The newly updated toolkit addresses the full cycle from assessment through implementation and provides strategies for each step of the process. View the complete toolkit.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Guidelines for Successful Transition of People with Mental or Substance Use Disorders from Jail and Prison Implementation Guide
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released "Guidelines for Successful Transition of People with Mental or Substance Use Disorders from Jail and Prison." This implementation guide provides behavioral health, correctional, and community stakeholders with examples of the implementation of successful strategies for transitioning people with mental or substance use disorders from institutional correctional settings into the community. Highlights prevalence of mental and substance use disorders in correctional settings. Download the guide.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: 2017 County Health Rankings Report and Key Findings
The County Health Rankings, a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute annually measures the health of nearly all counties in the nation and ranks them within states. The County Health Rankings illustrate what we know when it comes to what is keeping people healthy or making people sick and how the opportunity for good health differs from one county to the next. On March 29, 2017 a report and a summary of the key findings were released. Read here.
The National Institutes of Health: HealthReach Database
Many hospitals, clinics, community health centers, and voluntary organizations operating in the United States provide a broad range of health services to individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP). The National Institutes of Health offers a searchable database of culturally and linguistically appropriate health information called HealthReach. This collection of cross-cultural health resources and information helps health care providers and educators working with emerging populations. You can search for patient materials that are culturally relevant and available in multiple languages, and search for provider information specific to various minority cultural groups. Access the database.
HHS Office of Minority Health: Think Cultural Health Website
Our culture shapes how we view and interact with the world. Culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS) matter not just in health-related services but in services of any sector. CLAS is about being respectful of and responsive to a person's cultural identity and communication needs. Across all sectors, providing services in a culturally and linguistically appropriate way is an important way to advance equity. The Think Cultural Health website is dedicated to advancing health equity at every point of contact, it features information, continuing education opportunities, resources, and more for health and health care professionals to learn about culturally and linguistically appropriate services, or CLAS. Explore the website.
ARCHIVED WEBINARS, WORKSHOPS, AND MEETINGS
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Leveraging the Rankings for Community Action
On Feb. 21, 2017, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation held a pre-release webinar titled "Leveraging the Rankings for Community Action." This webinar explored strategies and resources and discussed how you can leverage the key findings of the annual "County Health Rankings" in your community to move with data to action. Listen to the webinar and view PowerPoint slides.
The National Academy of Medicine's Culture of Health Program: Engaging Allies in the Culture of Health Movement Meeting
Persistent disparities in health outcomes and in timely access to quality health care means achieving health equity is a challenge in the United States. Uneven access to conditions that are needed for good health has been well documented, as have the poor effects on health that result not only for individuals but also for their families and society. The National Academy of Medicine's "Culture of Health Program," funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is a multiyear collaborative effort to identify strategies to create and sustain conditions that support equitable good health for all Americans. On Jan. 25, 2017, NAM hosted the program's first meeting. View the webcast.
RECENT NEWS ARTICLES
For recent news articles please visit www.chausa.org/disparities/overview