Policy Approaches to Address Health Disparities Laura A. Underwood and Antonia M. Villarruel Mississippi University for Women Dr. Johnnie Wijewardane, PhD, FNP-BC Jessica Fordham, BSN, RN Access Health Disparities- preventable differences in the burden of disease, injury, violence, or opportunities to achieve optimal health that are experienced by socially disadvantaged populations Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)- is the United States government’s principle agency for those who are least able to help themselves. U.S DHHS Secretary’s Task Force on Black and Minority Health- Task Force created in 1984 by Margaret Heckler to investigate the national inconsistency of steady improvement in overall health, with substantial inequities in health of U.S. minorities. Office of Minority Health- created in 1986 to improve the health of racial and ethnic minority populations through the development of health policies and programs that will help eliminate health disparities. Report of Secretary’s Task Force on Black and Minority Health- A comprehensive study evaluating the long-standing disparities among the health statuses of U.S. blacks, Hispanics, Asian/Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans compared to that of Whites. Public Health Quality Care Health Reform Funding Policy Solution After the reports were released by the U.S. DHHS Secretary’s Task Force on Black and Minority Health, programs and policy initiatives were release to decrease health disparities such as the Office of minority Health and “Healthy People 2010.” Investigations such as Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethic disparities in Health Care and the Report of the Secretary’s Task Force and Black Minority Health identified U.S health disparities among minorities Health Care Disparities Low Socioeconomic Statuses Mortality Ethnic Minority Cancer Cardiovascular Disease Diabetes Infant Mortality Unintentional Injury Chemical Dependency CHIP Health Promotion and disease prevention became a major mission in reducing health disparities. Federal Programs such as the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality were establish to monitor quality of care and the accessibility of health services for diverse population. Non governmental Agency such as Kaiser Family Foundation also participated in policy reports to identify at risk groups by race and ethnicity to evaluate health and well-being. Infant mortality has been linked to racial health disparities, population health, maternal health, and public services. Efforts such as public health policies and interventional programs for affected populations can assist in eliminating health disparities. Nurse Family Partnership NU570 Book Talk or T5 Talk (whichever is more applicable) SUMMER 2012 Course professor Wijewardane