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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Jacqueline D. Rodrigue, MSW, PhD student, Division of Nursing, Department of Health and Human Services, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, 9-36, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-443-0818, JRodrigue@hrsa.gov and Anita Verna Moncrease, MD, MPH, Administration, Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion, Herman Kerifer, Detroit, MI 48202.

The increase in diversity in the United States has been accompanied by significant increases in disparities in health care outcomes for people of color. Many of the disparities in health outcomes are directly correlated with unequal treatment in the delivery of health care services. Health care provider's attitudes of accepting poor health outcomes in certain population are part of an unspoken Code of Silence. This Code often results in the unequal treatment and poorer health outcomes for minorities and other vulnerable populations (children, elderly, poor, and homeless). The Code of Silence has given rise to subtle differences in training of the healthcare workforce in the treatment of minorities and other vulnerable populations. These differences are measurable in poorer health outcomes. Health care disparities are magnified and compounded in URM who are uneducated, poor, young, or elderly. These disparities have been well documented in the treatment of heart disease, kidney failure, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, pain management, mental illness, dental disease, and antibiotics usage. The health care of the nation should be measured not in terms of dollars but in health outcomes of the most vulnerable populations. In order to address disparities in health outcomes, the Code of Silence must be destroyed and interventions must be directed at: 1). Increasing diversity in students and faculty of health professions schools (HPS); 2). Incorporating cultural competence training into the core HPS curriculum; 3). Developing race neutral protocols for treatment, and 4). Holding healthcare providers, institutions, systems, and insurances accountable for differential treatment modalities and outcomes. The Code of Silence is unacceptable. Health care providers must be equipped with the skills and training to provide high quality care to all populations regardless of race and ethnicity.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• List 5 ways the impact of the lack of diversity in the health professional schools and workforce has on health disparities and outcomes;
• Design interventions to incorportate cultural compentence into health professional schools curriculum;
• Develop methods to hold the workforce accountable for differential treatment and poor health outcomes.

Keywords: Minorities, Training

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation