Module Components

• Overview
• Assignments

Topics

• Health Disparities Definitions
• Examples of Health Disparities
• Community Health Indicators
• Leading Reports on Health Disparities
• Federal and State Initiatives
• Cultural Competence

NRSG 780 - Health Promotion and Population Health

Module 5: Health Disparities / Cultural Competence

Overview

Minority Health Determines the Health of the Nation - The United States has become increasingly diverse in the last century. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, approximately 42 percent of the population belongs to a racial or ethnic minority group. Though health indicators such as life expectancy and infant mortality have improved for most Americans, some minorities experience a disproportionate burden of preventable disease, death, and disability compared with non-minorities.

https://www.cdc.gov/minorityhealth/

https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/interactive/racial-and-ethnic-diversity-in-the-united-states-2010-and-2020-census.html

The purpose of this module is to introduce the factors that relate to health disparities in the U.S., and the role of public health in addressing the disparities. Each of us plays an essential and individual role in addressing health disparities. In addition, the future of health care in our nation is in large part determined how health care providers respond to the urgency to address health disparities as a national health concern.

Although the focus of this discussion is primarily on racial and ethnic groups, health disparities affect the nation as a whole. Differences in race, ethnicity, sex, geography, sexual identity, disability and age are some of the factors that contribute to health disparities. Yet, insufficient attention has been paid to these differences. Your role and the roles of other health care providers, in addressing health and health services for all segments of the population will significantly impact the future of health and health care in America. Join in a discussion of disparities and how you can make a difference!

Objectives

At the conclusion of this module, the learner will be able to:

• Define health disparities and its importance to the nation
• Examine two important frameworks for describing and addressing health disparities
• Explore the evidence supporting health disparities
• Discuss Maryland's Health Disparities Initiatives
• Appreciate cultural group differences and health care beliefs of select priority populations
• Identify public health strategies to address health care disparities

Required Readings

• The Commonwealth Fund, “Achieving Racial and Ethnic Equity in U. S. Health Care” November 18, 2021 Available at https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/scorecard/2021/nov/achieving-racial-ethnic-equity-us-health-care-state-performance
• Healthy People 2030 Social Determinants of Health Available at https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/social-determinants-health

Recommended Reading

• https://www.cdc.gov/minorityhealth/index.html
• 2020 Action Plan to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities available at https://chronicdisease.org/resource/resmgr/healthequity/hec_hhs_plan_complete.pdf

Directions

Read the module and suggested readings within the module.