Given the
constant battle over health care reform, a looming economic crisis, and a
discouraging budget outlook, it seems that there aren’t many things
policymakers can agree on these days. However, a rare feat occurred this week
when the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) unveiled an action plan that garnered bipartisan cooperation inside the
beltway as well as support from the medical community.
On Monday,
HHS released new standards to track a wide range of factors that impact health and health care in
the US, specifically those that focus on health disparities, as health equity
benefits all citizens.
According
to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) health disparities are "preventable differences in the burden of disease, injury,
violence, or opportunities to achieve optimal health that are experienced by
socially disadvantaged populations." These populations can be defined by
factors such as race or ethnicity, gender, education, income, disability,
geographic location, or sexual orientation.
The new standards explicitly address data
collection issues involving racial and ethnic labels, sexual activity in youth,
obesity, aerobic ability, tobacco use and exposure, depression and educational
attainment.
In a
statement released this week, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius stated, "it is
our job to get a better understanding of why disparities occur and how to
eliminate them." Both providers and policymakers recognize that without a
better understanding of whom we are serving, we stand no chance of aiding our
communities in the most effective or efficient ways. With increased knowledge
comes improved culturally competent and cost effective care.
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Further
Reading:
Wisconsin
is 17th State to ask for Health Reform Waiver
Public
Support of Health Law at New Low
Congressional Health Care Caucus
Launches New Website
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