The need for attention to health disparities affecting minority populations has been given renewed energy with health care reform. 16 million newly insured people will be entering the health care system which is already overburdened. Within the newly insured there will be many people who are in the population of those with health disparities. Those who have not adequately accessed health care will bring new challenges into the health care system.
The challenges pertaining to health are not the only ones that will be faced, cultural and language barriers will add challenges to care delivery. The development of the action plan to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities is a worthwhile pursuit - however I believe that significantly reducing disparities will be work that flows into the next generation. There is a lot to be done including changes in cultural norms and perceptions which are not easy tasks.
The need for attention to health disparities affecting minority populations has been given renewed energy with health care reform. 16 million newly insured people will be entering the health care system which is already overburdened. Within the newly insured there will be many people who are in the population of those with health disparities. Those who have not adequately accessed health care will bring new challenges into the health care system.
ReplyDeleteThe challenges pertaining to health are not the only ones that will be faced, cultural and language barriers will add challenges to care delivery. The development of the action plan to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities is a worthwhile pursuit - however I believe that significantly reducing disparities will be work that flows into the next generation. There is a lot to be done including changes in cultural norms and perceptions which are not easy tasks.