Affirming Our Commitment: “A Nation Free of Health and Health Care

Disparities”

J. Nadine Gracia, MD, MSCEDeputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health (Acting)

Office of Minority HealthU.S. Department of Health and Human Services

October 19, 2012

The conclusions in this presentation are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

UVI Caribbean Exploratory Research CenterFifth Annual Health Disparities Institute

OUTLINE

Snapshot of National Initiatives to Address Health Disparities and Social Determinants of Health

Key Strategies and Actions

Building on Partnerships and Collaboration

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Globally, approximately 1/4 of diseases, and more than 1/3 of disease burden among children, results from modifiable or preventable factors in the environment

In U.S., cost of diseases in children attributed to environmental factors (e.g., asthma) estimated at $76.6 billion in 2008

Dampness and mold estimated to contribute to 21% of asthma cases (4.6 million) in U.S. at annual cost $3.5 billion

Persistence of health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities

Minorities more likely to live in counties with particulate matter and ozone levels that exceed air quality standards and highest odds of living in inadequate housing

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Health Disparities and Social Determinants of Health

A National Movement Improving the Health of all Americans

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Healthy People 2020Overarching Goals Attain high quality, longer

lives free of preventable disease, disability, injury, and premature death.

Achieve health equity, eliminate disparities, and improve the health of all groups.

Create social and physical environments that promote good health for all.

Promote quality of life, healthy development, and healthy behaviors across all life stages.

www.healthypeople.gov/2020/

National Prevention Strategy: Moving the Nation Toward Prevention and Wellness

National Prevention Council: 17 Federal agencies, chaired by the U.S. Surgeon General

Overarching Goal: Increase the number of Americans who are healthy at every stage of life

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http://www.healthcare.gov/prevention/nphpphc/strategy/

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Vision: “A Nation free of disparities in health and health care”

GoalsI. Transform Health Care

II. Strengthen the Nation’s Health and Human Services Infrastructure and Workforce

III. Advance the Health, Safety, and Well-Being of the American People

IV. Advance Scientific Knowledge and Innovation

V. Increase Efficiency, Transparency, and Accountability of HHS Programs

HHS Action Plan to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities

www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov

HHS in Action Goal

• Advance the Health, Safety, and Well-Being of the American People

Action• Build community capacity to implement evidence-based

policies and environmental, programmatic, and infrastructure change strategies

Example• CDC Community Transformation Grants

– More than $100 million in prevention funding has been awarded to 61 states and communities serving approximately 120 million Americans.

– Approximately $70 million was awarded to 40 communities that will directly impact about 9.2 million Americans.

– www.cdc.gov/communitytransformation/

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Vision: “A Nation that equitably promotes healthy community environments and protects the health of all people ”

Strategic ElementsI. Policy Development and Dissemination

II. Education and Training

III. Research and Data Collection, Analysis, and Utilization

IV. Services

2012 HHS Environmental Justice Strategy

HHS in Action Strategic Element

• Education and Training Action

• Expand and promote educational outreach on health and environmental justice, including continuing education programs, to primary health care and behavioral health care providers, other health professionals, public health professionals and the human services workforce

Examples• HRSA Centers of Excellence for Environmental and

Occupational Health• ATSDR Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units

– www.atsdr.cdc.gov/emes/health_professionals/pediatrics.html

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Coordinated Federal Action Plan to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Asthma Disparities

Guiding Principles Coordinate and collaborate

across federal agencies, other levels of government, and community partners

Build on existing and effective federal programs and partnerships

Do more of what we know works. Emphasize activities that address the preventable factors that impact asthma disparities

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www.epa.gov/childrenstaskforce/index.html

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The National Partnership for Action (NPA)

Purpose: To mobilize a nationwide, comprehensive, and community-driven approach to combating health disparities.

Five Goals of the NPA:• Awareness• Leadership• Health System and Life Experience• Cultural and Linguistic Competency• Data, Research, and Evaluation

National Stakeholder Strategy (NSS):A product of the NPA that offers 20 specific strategies for reaching NPA goals and assists federal, regional, tribal, state, and local stakeholders in adopting effective strategies for their communities. http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/npa/

Making the Connection: Advancing Environmental Justice Through Strategy, Partnership and Action

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Office of Minority HealthU.S. Department of Health and Human Services

www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov(800) 444-6472

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