|
|
|
|
|
Sheryl Taylor, MPH, Symphony Tailored Health Solutions, PO Box 3564, Worcester, MA 01613, 508.868.7059, staylor@symphony-ths.org and Brunilda Torres, LICSW, Office of Multicultural Health, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 250 Washington St., Boston, MA 02108.
Critical Mass is a newly formed coalition seeking to develop a statewide network of regional and local efforts focused on eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities in Massachusetts. The coalition is a public and private partnership between groups of organizations that extend beyond the traditional health care delivery system. Its members include Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation, the Department of Public Health, Area Health Education Centers, the Office of Medicaid, the Mass League of Community Health Centers, and Action for Boston Community Development, Inc. The Critical Mass network also includes a variety of community based organizations committed to health equity across the state. Many individual efforts exist that address issues related to specific populations, disease categories or geographic locations but lack a mechanism through which to coordinate activities or share lessons learned. Additionally, these programs do not have the broad support needed to make systemic changes addressing health disparities at the state and regional level. The coalition serves as a clearinghouse for current research and practice initiatives and as a catalyst for developing a statewide planning process. Critical MASS will describe this non-categorical approach and share examples of their tools, website, training guides and evaluation strategy.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Health Disparities, Partnerships
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.