Summary of the Disparities in Health Critical Issue Session
New Orleans: Regions IV and VI
October 21, 1998
Moderators:
Mary Bowers
OMH, US DHHS, PHS Region VI
Yvonne Johns
OMH, US DHHS, PHS Region IV
Panelists:
Regina Lee
Senior Policy Advisor, OMH, US DHHS
Provided overview of the Healthy People Goal of eliminating health disparities and
raising key questions for consideration during the public comment period.
Key messages:
- Should the Eliminating Disparities goal in Healthy People 2010 be applied across
all health focus areas?
- Although the 2010 guidelines suggest a "better than the best" approach to
target-setting, this has not yet been applied uniformly and consistently across the
current set of proposed objectives. Let us hear your comments about these approaches and
target-setting.
- No data, no official problem; no problem, no action; no action, persistent and increased
gaps. Do we want to show where data gaps exist?
- If we are truly going to "close the gap", a greater amount and rate of change
will be required for those who are least healthy than for those who are healthiest--while,
at the same time, improving health for all.
- How, if at all, should we address existing disparities by gender, age, functional
status, and income? Should similar or different approaches be implemented? Are there other
variables that need to be considered?
Reverend W. L. Cortrell
Vine City Health Partnership
Provided a faith-based perspective toward the goal of eliminating health disparities.
Key messages:
- We have all kinds of needs assessments of communities, but what is really needed is an
"asset" assessment in order to empower communities.
- We cannot use a paternalistic approach.
Marsha Broussard, MPH
Director, Healthy Business, Inc.
Provided an overview of the need for better community infrastructure in order to
achieve the goal of eliminating health disparities
Key messages:
- Need to establish a community health system with a strong infrastructure.
- There is a significant manpower shortage in ethnic representation in the health
professions.
- Diversity is a strength in our communities.
Comments/Questions from Open Discussion with Participants