Summary of the Disparities in Health Critical Issue Session
Philadelphia: Regions I, II, III
October 5, 1998
Moderator:
Janet Lee Scott-Harris
OMH, US DHHS, PHS Region I
Panelists:
Valerie Welsh
Program Analyst, 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?
Nicole Lurie, MD
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, US DHHSP
Provided overview of the DHHS Initiative to Eliminate Racial and Ethnic Disparities in
Health, which included the selection criteria of the six health focus areas, current HHS
activities within the Initiative, and how community groups can become involved.
Key messages:
- Department initiative is an opportunity to develop strategies and implementation plans
in six key health areas: infant mortality, cancer screening and management, cardiovascular
disease, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and immunizations.
- Department wants to involve communities in developing strategies that work.
Michael Carter
Executive Director, Office of Community Relations, Maryland Department of Health and
Mental Hygiene
Provided overview of some local programs developed to bring attention
to minority health issues, especially among Black men.
Key messages:
- It is critical to talk about the gap. Many organizations are not even aware of the fact
that gaps exist, or the magnitude of the gaps.
- It is important to realize the magnitude of the task of eliminating disparities. It is
important to not try to do everything, or you often wind up doing nothing.
- When talking about collaboration, it is important to consolidate, but not to duplicate.
Heike Thiel de Bocanegra, PhD
Research Scientist, New York Task Force on Immigrant Health
Provided an overview of the health issues faced by foreign born
minority groups in the United States.
Key messages:
- Objectives should seek data by country of birth. For example, breast cancer rates for
U.S born blacks is far greater than the national average, but the breast cancer rate for
foreign born blacks are lower than the national average.
- Suggested developmental objectives aimed at achieving linguistic access and cultural
competence.
- Suggested Healthy People should include criteria for the process of reaching objectives.
Comments/Questions from Open Discussion with Participants