| WASHINGTON, D.C., January 31, 2005 |
| The American Medical Association, National Medical
Association, and the National Hispanic Medical Association today
announced the creation of a commission to end disparities in medical
care. The Commission to End Health Care Disparities, comprised
of leaders from the nation's largest physicians' organizations and
more than 30 health-related groups, will work to educate physicians
and health professionals about health care disparities while
identifying and developing strategies to eliminate gaps in care
based on race and culture. |
| "Our nation's physicians must strive to ensure that
all patients can receive the highest quality of health care," said
AMA President John C. Nelson, MD, MPH. "The causes of health
disparities are complex, and raising awareness is an important step
toward ending inequality in care. This is a historic time when
medical and public health organizations are coming together to
identify and implement strategies for eliminating health care
disparities." |
| Studies show that minority patients experience a lower
quality of health services and are more likely to develop chronic
diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. A 2002
Institute of Medicine report found evidence that health care
disparities exist even when patients share similar characteristics
such as insurance status, income and age. |
| "To close gaps in health care that are based on race
and culture, we must honestly and effectively confront and eliminate
them at their sources," said Randall W. Maxey, MD, PhD, Immediate
Past President of the NMA and co-chair of the commission. "All
physicians seeking to ensure the best communication between them and
their patients in this regard must be involved, and that's why the
commission's work is so important." |
| To help minority patients get the health care they
need, the commission has established our committees to examine the
current health care system and work to improve patient care. The
committees will work to raise professional awareness, improve data
gathering, increase education and training and promote workforce
diversity. |
| Two projects are already underway. The commission is
conducting a comprehensive survey of physicians about health care
disparities and the factors causing them. It is also promoting
selected training programs that use case study work, self-assessment
activities and video vignettes to increase physicians' cultural
competency. Physician leaders from across the country will
participate in the training, and a report to evaluate the program is
expected by November. |
| "A one-size-fits-all approach to medicine does not
recognize the special needs of our diverse patient population," said
NHMA President & CEO Elena Rios, MD, MSPH. "It is important that
medical care is tailored to meet the needs of various racial and
ethnic groups." |
| |
| The Commission to End Health Care Disparities is
funded in part by a planning grant from The Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation (RWJF). More information on the commission is available
on-line at
http://www.ama-assn.org/go/healthdisparities. |
| |
| For additional information, please contact: |
Toni Xenos
Public Information Officer
AMA Media Relations
(312) 464-4430
(312) 543-8448
Commission to end health care disparities
Secretariat |
| |
American Medical Association
National Hispanic Medical Association
National Medical Association |
| |
| Member Organizations |
| Alliance of Minority Medical Associations |
| American Academy of Family Physicians |
| American Academy of Ophthalmology |
| American Academy of Pediatrics |
| American Association of Public Health Physicians |
| American College of Cardiology |
| American College of Chest Physicians |
| American College of Emergency Physicians |
| American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists |
| American College of Physicians |
| American College of Preventive Medicine |
| American Medical Women's Association |
| American Osteopathic Association |
| American Psychiatric Association |
| American Public Health |
| Association, American Society of Addiction Medicine |
| California Medical Association |
| Florida Medical Association |
| Illinois State Medical Society |
| Massachusetts Medical Society |
| Medical Society of New Jersey |
| Medical Society of the State of New York |
| Ohio State Medical Association |
| Society of Critical Care Medicine |
| Texas Medical Association |
| The CHEST Foundation |
| Uniformed Services University |
