"Of all the forms of inequality,
injustice in health care is the most
shocking and inhumane."
– Dr. Martin Luther King
Racial and ethnic minorities in the U.S. are more likely to lack health insurance, receive lower-quality care, and suffer from worse health outcomes. While the causes of health disparities are complex, we know the time to take action is now . . .
So You Think You Know Minority Health? is a new interactive game from Families USA's Minority Health Initiative. Based on the classic Jeopardy game, it is designed to test your knowledge of the health disparities facing people of color in America today. Check it out.
The National Health Policy Training Alliance for Communities of Color will hold a health policy journalism training this September. Click here for more information.
The Latest
From Families USA
Building Blocks of Health Reform: The Social Security Example discusses how the Social Security program started out modestly but grew over time, as well as its importance to minority seniors. (March 2010)
Improving Language Access: CHIPRA Provides Increased Funding for Language Services discusses the increased funding for language assistance services (interpretation and translation) and how states cover these services for Medicaid and CHIP enrollees who are limited English proficient, or LEP. (February 2010)
NAACP President Benjamin Jealous, Rep. Donna Edwards, and Surgeon General Regina Benjamin joined us for Health Action 2010! Click here to watch webcasts of their speeches. (January 2010)
From the Center for Studying Health System Change
Modest and Uneven: Physician Efforts to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Disparities notes that while nearly half of physicians identify language or cultural barriers as obstacles to providing high-quality care to minority patients, the adoption of practices such as training in minority health issues or providing interpreter services is rather low. It argues that, as the U.S. continues to become more diverse, these practices should become standard procedure throughout the country. (February 2010)
From the Center for American Progress
Equal Health Care for All: Opportunities to Address Health Care Disparities in Health Care Reform looks at disparities in health care access and quality, based on factors such as race and ethnicity, and analyzes the initiatives in the current federal health reform proposals that will address these factors and help eliminate such disparities. (December 2009)
Kaiser Family Foundation Briefs Examine Impact of Health Reform on Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities
Today's Topics in Health Disparities: What Might Health Reform Mean for Women of Color? discusses how provisions in the current health reform bills would affect women of color. In particular, it highlights provisions such as ending gender rating, eliminating pre-existing condition exclusions, and improving access to preventive services. (December 2009)
Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Access to Care among Children: How Does Medicaid Do in Closing the Gaps? examines how disparities among children in Medicaid compare with those among privately insured and uninsured children. The findings reveal that disparities in Medicaid were similar to those in the private insurance market, and although the majority of children fare well in terms of access, problems still persist for children trying to get access to the health care they need. (December 2009)From the Office on Women's Health
Quick Health Data Online: Health Disparities Profiles includes 21 different key health indicators at the state level for different racial and ethnic populations in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Territories. It can be used as a reference for policymakers and program managers to identify areas where major health disparities exist in each state. (December 2009)
Keep Up-to-Date
Minority Health Connection: This monthly newsletter was launched to keep advocates connected to the most pressing issues affecting minority health. Topics include the latest resources in minority health, how major health policy issues affect communities of color, and comments from leaders in the field of racial and ethnic health disparities.
Let Your Voice Be Heard
If you have questions about minority health, or if you have suggestions about topics that you'd like to see addressed on our Web site, please let us know. For more information about Families USA and our work in minority health, contact Rea Pañares, Director of Minority Health Initiatives, at 202-628-3030.
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