National Partnership for Action to End Health Disparities: A Cornerstone to Address Oral Health Disparities

Since the 1985 Report of the Secretary's Task force on Black and Minority Health, the national approach to improving minority health and eliminating health disparities has virtually remained the same. The National Partnership for Action (NPA) to End Health Disparities is a dynamic, collaborative effort to increase the effectiveness of programs that target the elimination of health disparities through the coordinated actions of partners, leaders, and stakeholders. The NPA has staked out new territory for forging change, with a principal focus to improve the effectiveness of policies and programs at all levels while increasing efficiencies through improved coordination and elimination of duplication.

As such the NPA may serve as a cornerstone for actionable change to improve oral health and eliminate disparities; through shared visions by key leaders, support for their efforts, a comprehensive implementation plan, increased communication and involvement, and reinforcement of institutionalized change. This presentation overviews this national coordinated effort that was driven by national health initiatives such as Healthy People, and health reports including the National Healthcare Disparities Reports and the National Healthcare Quality Reports. The primary focus is on the NPAs value to assure optimal oral health for all Americans, particularly those least able to help themselves.