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National Health Policy Training Alliance for Communities of Color

"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 recently held a Health Policy Journalism Institute. Interested? Click here to learn more.

The Latest

From Families USA

Health Coverage in Communities of Color: Talking about the New Census Numbers takes a closer look at the latest data and finds that communities of color continue to bear the brunt of the uninsured crisis. This fact sheet looks at who is uninsured, poverty levels of different racial and ethnic groups, and why public programs are vital to communities of color. (September 2009)

Comparative Effectiveness Research: A Potential Tool for Reducing Health Care Disparities counters misinformation about comparative effectiveness research and outlines steps to take to make it more useful in the fight against health care disparities. (August 2009)

Reducing Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities: Key Health Equity Provisions examines several measures in the health reform proposals that are before Congress that will address inequities in the health care system. (August 2009)

Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies Report on the Economic Burden of Health Inequalities

The Economic Burden of Health Inequalities in the US discusses how disparities in health and health care affect the economy, either directly through the costs associated with providing care to a sicker and more disadvantaged group, or indirectly, such as causing losses in productivity due to illness. The report estimates these costs to show the potential economic benefits of decreasing racial and ethnic health inequalities, including how it could lower the cost of health reform. (September 2009)

Urban Institute Report on the Cost of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities

Estimating the Cost of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities looks at how the higher rates of disease among different racial and ethnic groups place an economic burden on public programs and the health care system at large. It estimates that disparities in preventable disease rates among African Americans, Latinos, and whites will cost the health care system $23.9 billion in 2009 alone. (September 2009)

HHS Releases Recommendations on Addressing Health Disparities in Health Reform

The Department of Health and Human Services Advisory Committee on Minority Health released Ensuring that Health Care Reform Will Meet the Health Care Needs of Minority Communities and Eliminate Health Disparities, A Statement of Principles and Recommendations. The report recommends that all health reform proposals be evaluated for their potential to eliminate health disparities and improve the health of minority communities. (July 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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