Question

Steps to address health disparities according to the National Partnership for Action to Entic ealth Disparities ?

What steps can be made to provide and inclusive healthcare enviroment. (pond and fish)

What is the difference between being empathe (feeling for others) and empa-centric (thinking for yourself) ?

Answer 1

Healthcare disparities refer to differences in access to or availability of facilities and services. Health status disparities refer to the variation in rates of disease occurrence and disabilities between socioeconomic and/or geographically defined population groups.

A “health disparity” refers to a higher burden of illness, injury, disability, or mortality experienced by one group relative to another. A “health care disparity” typically refers to differences between groups in health insurance coverage, access to and use of care, and quality of care. Here are a few ideas for
addressing health disparities to get you started. These potential strategies build on the five goals of the
National Stakeholder Strategy for Achieving Health Equity.

1. INCREASE AWARENESS About Health Disparities

• Blog or tweet about health disparities in your community, or share information via Facebook.
• Contact the media with stories about health disparities in your community.
• Write a letter to the editor or an opinion-article for your local newspaper.
• Speak at health fairs, PTA and school board meetings, civic meetings, faith-based events and other community gatherings.
• Take the NPA Pledge to end health disparities.
• Issue a statement from your organization in support of the NPA.

2. BECOME A LEADER for Addressing Health Disparities

• Educate others about disparities and share stories about model programs with local organizations or community leaders, and the NPA.
• Start a petition to get local citizens to support policy recommendations and submit the petition to the appropriate elected officials.
• Organize a meeting of local organizations representing diverse sectors and work together to ensure health disparities is on the local and state health agenda.
• Form coalitions with local organizations representing diverse sectors and leaders from different racial, ethnic and other groups affected by health disparities to address common barriers and join the NPA.
• Serve as a mentor to a young person in your family, neighborhood or community. Educate him/her on the issues, encourage him/her to make healthy lifestyle choices; and guide him/ her to resources.

3. SUPPORT HEALTHY AND SAFE BEHAVIORS In Your Community

• Be a role model and serve nutritious foods at work or social functions.
• Involve your employees in a group physical activity or challenge. Participate in National Health Observances—such as AIDS Awareness Days—by sponsoring local health events or encouraging loved ones and colleagues to take action to address their health.
• Host seminars in your local library, school, workplace or other venue to discuss health disparities in your community. Topics could include reducing asthma triggers in the home, managing obesity and chronic illnesses, or how to enroll in public health insurance programs.
• Join the First Lady’s Let’s Move! initiative to raise a healthier generation of kids, the President’s Challenge and other similar initiatives.
• Join the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Pool Safely Campaign to help prevent drowning, which occurs at higher rates among racial and ethnic minorities.

4. IMPROVE ACCESS to Health Care

• Partner with a local health care provider or employer to offer free health screenings in your workplace or place of worship.
• Ask local health care providers to translate health and health care information or connect them to an individual or organization who can provide translation services.
• Establish a Community Health Worker or Promotoras de Salud program in your community.

5. CREATE HEALTHY NEIGHBORHOODS

• Advocate for more sidewalks, bike lanes and recreation facilities in your neighborhood.
• Encourage local schools, workplaces and assisted living facilities to provide healthier lunch and snack options.
• Ask your neighborhood supermarket to provide fresh fruit and vegetables to the local foodbank, ask local restaurants to provide healthy menu options, or organize a farmers’ market that accepts food stamps.
• Work with your local government and organizations in your community to collect and track data about health disparities and monitor changes over time.