262136 An evaluation of how the National Prevention Strategy combined with Healthy People Goals can reduce disparities in care of the Aging

Monday, October 29, 2012

Miranda Chung, MPH, DrPH(c) , School of Health Science & Practice, Department of Health Policy & Management, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY
Karina Aguilar, MS and MSW, DrPH(c) , Department of Health Policy & Management, School of Health Sciences & Practice, New York Medical College, Brooklyn, NY
David White, MPH, DrPH(c) , School of Health Science & Practice, Department of Health Policy & Management, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY
Luis Rodriguez, MD, MPH, DrPH(c) , School of Health Sciences & Practice, Department of Health Policy & Management, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY
Monae Johnson, MPH, MBS, DrPH(c) , Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Health Sciences & Practice, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY
Mahwish Khan, MPH, DrPH(c) , School of Health Sciences & Practice, Department of Health Policy & Management, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY
Deborah Viola, PhD , Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Health Sciences & Practice, Valhalla, NY
The National Prevention Strategy's (NPS) overarching goal is to increase the number of Americans who are healthy at every stage of life. NPS strategic direction focuses on: 1) healthy and safe community environments, 2) clinical and community preventive services, 3) empowered people, and 4) the elimination of health disparities. Healthy People 2020 (HP2020) goal 2 (to achieve health equity, eliminate disparities and improve the health of all groups) and goal 3 (to create social and physical environments that promote good health for all) are cornerstones for a more equitable society.

The purpose of our study was to evaluate how the NPS with HP2020 Goals could reduce disparities for the aging. We theorized that NPS and HP2020 have a far better chance at improving the health of the elderly by improvements in access, care and services. We assessed whether specific provisions of the Patent Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) have the potential to advance NPS strategies and HP2020 targets of 10% improvement in prevention and reduction of chronic diseases for older adults.

After completing a mapping of targets and goals against ACA provisions, we conclude that high-risk pools for pre-existing conditions and insurance rescission bans should have the most potential to reduce disparities among the aging. Additional provisions for women, minorities and those with disabilities will also improve health care and outcomes for older Americans. The ACA supports the NPS directions and HP2020 goals, achieving equality and strengthening equity to protect our most fragile and impoverished populations.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Chronic disease management and prevention
Environmental health sciences
Provision of health care to the public
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
To demonstrate how the National Prevention Strategy and Healthy People 2020 goals can reduce health disparities among older adults thru the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). To assess how the ACA could diminish health disparities for older Americans by taking the steps articulated in the National Prevention Strategy to achieve Healthy People 2020 goals.

Keywords: Aging, Health Disparities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: With a Masters degree in public health(2010)concentrated on international health, I am a doctoral candidate at New York Medical College (Health Policy and Management). I am also mentored and supervised by Dr. Deborah Viola, PhD, Associate Professor and Associate Director of the Doctoral Program. My research interests include health disparities,the aging population, maternal and child health, health policy and cancer research.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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