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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Dhananjaya Arekere, PhD¹, Lee Green, PhD¹, Brian Rivers, PhD¹, Craig H. Blakely, PhD², and Woodrow Jones, PhD³. (1) Center for the Study of Health Disparities, Texas A&M Univeristy, 4222 TAMU, 112 Harrington Tower, College Station, TX 77845, 979-862-2958, arekere@tamu.edu, (2) Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Rural Public Health, 1622 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, (3) Texas A&M University, Texas A&M University, 4222 TAMU, 112 Harrington Tower, College Station, TX 77843

A majority racial and ethnic minority population suffers from poor health status and outcomes. They also are likely to be un- and under-insured. Alongside, there is increasing demand among public health advocates for universal coverage. Also, several scholars and practitioners have argued for universal coverage as a solution to health disparities. Clearly, universal coverage addresses part of the problem, but does not contribute meaningfully to eliminating health disparities. Universal coverage is a necessary condition, but not sufficient by itself to eliminate health disparities because it only increases access to a limited extent, and effects neither quality nor cost of provision of healthcare. Not only are many minorities under-insured and unable to pay costs associated with demanding quality care, but also receive unequal treatment given similar insurance and socio-economic statuses. Eliminating health disparities requires a fundamental change in the way healthcare services are provided. Public hospitals play a critical role in addressing all three issues, access, quality and care, required to move towards eliminating health disparities. More resources should be allocated to public hospitals and public health measures to eliminate health disparities. Public health professionals should not limit their focus to intervention in health areas alone. A social and political agenda to provide quality education should become the corner stone of public health professionals because only through education attainment can economic and health disparities be eliminated.

Learning Objectives:

• Better understand the implications of universal coverage on provision of health care.
• Limited role of universal coverage in addressing the pathways leading to health disparities.
• Become aware of role of public hospitals in eliminating health disparities with and without universal coverage.

Keywords: Universal Coverage, Health Disparities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation