Promising Programs in Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health and Health Care Addressing... researched and compiled by Sarah McCloskey, Erin Kennedy, and Michele Sloan December 2004 and updated November 2007
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New England | National Programs | Various Conferences
Background
Regional coalitions and conferences provide opportunities to share health
information and data-collection techniques between state/local policy makers,
community organizations, researchers, and healthcare providers. Through these
forums, leaders can also share best practices for programming and unique
strategies or models for eliminating racial and ethnic disparities.
New EnglandNew England Regional Minority Health Committee – The committee hosts a
bi-annual conference on tools, skills, and networks for action to eliminate
health disparities. Partnering states include Conn., Mass., N.H., R.I., Vt., and Maine. Next Conference: April 2-4, 2007. Mashantucket, Conn. www.health.state.ri.us/chic/minority/Abstract81706.pdf 
National ProgramsHealth Disparities Collaborative (HDC) – The HRSA developed HDC in order to focus on eliminating health disparities. HDC was founded in 1998, and had an initial focus on eliminating inequalities concerning diabetes. Currently, HDC has a variety of focus areas and attempts to help eliminate disparities in these areas by creating networks of health care clinics and organizations within different designated regions of the U.S. The HRSA has created this infrastructure so funding for programs begins at the federal level and trickles down through the network. In addition, the HDC plans to change practice policies within the health care system through the use of three modes, which are described on their website. This website also includes information on specific collaboratives and links to partner’s websites, as well links to a resource library and an IT inventory tool. www.healthdisparities.net/hdc/html/home.aspx
A 2007 Harvard Medical School study, Improving the Management of Chronic
Disease at Community Health Centers, evaluated the quality-improvement of
the community health centers which participated in the Health Disparities
Collaborative compared to centers which did not. It was found that the centers
that participated in the collaboratives had significant improvements in screening
and preventive care and had a greater quality of care of asthma and diabetes. content.nejm.org/cgi/reprint/356/9/921.pdf
Various Conferences13th Annual Rural Minority and Multicultural Health Conference - "Traditional Health Customs and Practices: In Our Own Words" May 14-15, 2007. Anchorage, Alaska. The conference will address innovative rural healthcare programs, service delivery models, policy issues, educational programs, clinical concerns, leadership development and skills training as they relate to rural racial and ethnic health disparities. www.nrharural.org/conferences/sub/MMConf.html
Everyone Counts: State Infrastructure and Capacity to Eliminate Racial & Ethnic Disparities in New England. December 6, 2004. Tufts University School of Medicine. Boston, Mass. Hosted by the New England Coalition for Health Equity. www.neche.org/about/about.htm
Southeast Regional Civil Rights Training Conference – July 11-14, 2006. Representatives from eight states (Ala., Ga., Fla., Ky., Tenn., Miss., N.C., S.C.) will meet in Jackson, Mississippi, to discuss health disparities, mental health, immigrant access, community/faith-based initiatives, and social programming. secra.us/content/secra/doc/Agenda.doc (MS Word)
For more information, contact Eric Jacobson (302-831-1711).
photo on this page courtesy of the Administration on Aging
