OWINGS MILLS, Md. - March 16, 2021 - The leading home health PGDM software and consulting firm has accepted the challenge and will adopt the Guiding Principles of the National Minority Health Association in support of the mission to eliminate the healthcare disparity gap.
Examples of the gap include:
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
Minority communities 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 differently than men, differences in minority communities also must be taken into account.
"The disparity gap is real and as an industry, home health should be on the front lines to help address the healthcare disparity gap experienced in minority and underserved communities," said Michael McGowen, CEO of OperaCare.
"The disparity gap is real and as an industry, home health should be on the front lines to help address the healthcare disparity gap experienced in minority and underserved communities," said Michael McGowen, CEO of OperaCare.
"We welcome OperaCare and their commitment to our Guiding Principles. The home health industry should be a leader in this important effort and with support from innovative companies like OperaCare," said Burgess Harrison, MNHA Executive Director. Companies and agencies adopting NMHA Guiding Principles is the first step in a health equity process. The NMHA Guiding Principles serve 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 is a 501C3 not-for-profit organization founded in 1988 by Dr. David L. Dalton, who currently chairs the organization's board of directors. The NMHA achieved its initial mission of ensuring the establishment of Offices of Minority Health in all 50 states, and today is adding to its mission for minority and underserved communities, by deploying new programs that utilize patient-centered, value-based care, and new ways of enhancing care to patients where they are. The goals are to lower costs and improve patient outcomes. To find out more visit www.theNMHA.org. Please join us in the fight for health equity by becoming a member of the NMHA Health Equity Action Leaders network (HEAL). https://www.thenmha.org/donation
About OperaCare. OperaCare allows your agency to utilize proactive OASIS analytics along with process consulting to accelerate cash flow while establishing financial predictability and eliminating after-hours clinician documentation. OperaCare is the home of the 24-hour RAP. Complete your OASIS, coding, and plan of care faster and more accurately than ever before. https://operacare.com
Contact
Burgess Harrison