OWINGS MILLS, Md. - Nov. 1, 2020 - If we agree that Healthcare is a basic necessity then we need to do something about it. As we go about our daily lives, we may not realize that unfortunately healthcare is not readily available or accessible to everyone. Dr. King told us, "of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane." The reality of the healthcare disparity gap:
Black males have the shortest life expectancy compared to all other groups
Hispanics have the second-highest prevalence for Alzheimer's and dementia
50% of Hispanics will develop diabetes in their lifetime
Asian subpopulations and Pacific Islanders have a 5x higher ratio of hepatitis B relative to whites
Native Americans are twice as likely to have diabetes compared to whites
Do you really need more evidence?
In light of this vast disparity and the human, emotional and financial toll that it takes, the National Minority Health Association has developed and put forth a comprehensive set of "Guiding Principles." Fortune 1,000 companies set the standard for business. Today, the NMHA is challenging each and every Fortune 1,000 organization to adopt and act on these guiding principles for healthcare equity.
Why the Fortune 1,000? Because, outside of Medicare and Medicaid, company-provided healthcare is still the way most Americans get their healthcare coverage—if they have it all. If Corporate America decides to do something, then things can begin to change. Remember, you could barely find a salad in fast food—today it's the norm. Plant-based foods were on the fringe. Now it's a critical element of any food company product portfolio.
Recently, 30 Minnesota healthcare providers and stakeholders (see link below) made a commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. We applaud their effort and dedication and felt a national approach was needed. While public commitment is great, a commitment is only a beginning. COVID 19 and other events before and during 2020 are bringing to light, just how bad, deep, and wide the gap in healthcare is in America, and perhaps the world. Minority communities especially have to suffer the brunt of infrastructure and institutional policies that are designed to exclude their needs and challenges when it comes to seeking healthcare. Here are a few examples.
On many Native American reservations a convenience store is the only food option for miles.
Minorities are more prone to live in multi-generational housing arrangements or take public transportation, exposing them disease
Mistrust of the healthcare system due to unethical testing processes
Unintentional yet Inherent bias on the part of healthcare professionals as to what is best. Just as the physiology of children is different than adults and women different than men, differences in minority communities also must be taken into account.
According to Burgess Harrison, MNHA Executive Director, "every organization should adopt the NMHA Guiding Principles as a first step in a health equity process. Today the NMHA is focusing on the Fortune 1,000. Think of it as the "standard of care" for closing the healthcare disparity gap." (See the NMHA Guiding principles by following this link: www.thenmha.org )
About NMHA. The National Minority Health Association, founded in 1988 by Dr. David L. Dalton, Chairman, and CEO of Univec Conglomerate Inc.(UNVC), achieved its initial mission of ensuring the establishment of Offices of Minority Health in all 50 states. Today the NMHA is adding to its mission and deploying new programs that utilize patient-centered, value-based care, and new ways of enhancing care to patients where they are, lowering costs, and improving outcomes for minority and underserved communities. To help sponsor or for more information visit www.theNMHA.org #CloseTheHealthGap
Donate today at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/thenmha
To learn more about the 30 healthcare providers and their commitment click here:
https://www.icsi.org/icsi-news/news/minnesota-companies-sign-commitment-to-diversity-equity-and-inclusion/
Contact
Burgess Harrison
