What are some of the some of the health issues facing African Americans due to the disparities in health care?

The largest minority group in the United States There are glaring disparities in all areas of health care from: Health disparities among the African-American population include:  Life expectancy  Heart disease  Diabetes  Hypertension  Infant mortality (including low birth weight and pre-term births)  Maternal Morbidity and Mortality  Cancer  HIV/AIDS  Asthma Campinha-Bacote, (2009).

 Where language barriers, racial and ethnic differences exist-there is a need for culturally competent care. The care begins with sensitivity and recognition of the needs of diverse groups. Reducing healthcare disparities among minorities will lead to improved outcomes in maternal and neonatal health.  As in the goals of Healthy People 2010 and the next initiative in 2020, this presentation seeks to examine the facts as reported by various studies as well as practical solutions to meet these goals. Healthy People, (2010).

 It is well known that African - Americans do not participate in clinical trials at the rate of other ethnic groups. One example of this disparity is the Tuskegee Experiment. In this experiment poor African Americans with syphillis were deliberately not treated but studied without their knowledge and consent.  This study was not that long ago. In fact it went on for forty years from 1932 to 1972 and was supposedly to study the progression of untreated syphillis. The study involved poor African American men who thought they were receiving free health care. The experiment was done without the knowledge and consent of the participants and was sanctioned by the US government with full participation and knowledge of the attorney general and physicians. Talking Drum, (2011).

Brooks. Pascal, Sly & Hsiao ( Fear Mistrust Lack of Knowledge Misinformation Past history of clinical trials

Education Diversity race among health care professionals Utilizing credible professionals Inviting African Americans to participate in clinical trials Brooks, Pascal, sly & Hsiao,(2009).

Campinha-Bacote, J. (2009).

 Concordance – matching the demographic of employees with the community they serve.  Cultivate – policy and procedures that reinforce a diverse workforce.  Reinforcement – recruitment and retention of a diverse staff, set diversity goals & reassess them. Dreachslin, J.., 2008

 As healthcare providers we need to commit to giving the most respectful and compassionate care possible.  We are here to commit to making a change.

 True or False: In order to provide culturally competent care, providers should expect those of different cultures to adhere to our ideals?  True or False: Culturally competent providers do not need to have an understanding of the cultures of others to provide excellent care?