Forum on Community Involvement in Reducing Health Disparities to be Hosted by Joint Center on Political and Economic Studies 5/24/2004
From: Liselle Yorke, 202-789-6366 or lyorke@jointcenter.org or Dana Lauren West, 202-331-4323 or dwest@vancomm.com both of the Joint Center on Political and Economic Studies; http://www.jointcenter.org WASHINGTON, May 24 -- With only six years to go before the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) meets its self-imposed deadline for eliminating health disparities, the goal is far from being met. One key component in closing the gap has been largely ignored: local communities. The Health Policy Institute at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies is hosting a forum for public officials, community activists, and policymakers to identify many ways in which community involvement can greatly improve the health of African Americans and Latinos. The forum on Community-Based Approaches to Reducing Health Disparities will be held on May 25 at the Barbara Jordan Conference Center of the Kaiser Family Foundation (1330 G Street, NW, Washington, D.C.) from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. EDT. Dr. Nathan Stinson Jr., the HHS deputy assistant secretary for minority health, headlines the event with a luncheon keynote speech at 12:30 p.m., with Dr. Robert K. Ross, the president and CEO of The California Endowment, as the opening speaker. Participants will discuss four working papers prepared by PolicyLink, a national nonprofit research, communications, capacity building, and advocacy organization based in Oakland, Calif. In addition to an overview paper, there are papers on environmental conditions and asthma; diet and obesity; and immigrant populations. The topics were developed through interviews with African American and Latino elected officials and health advocates. "Communities must have a say in developing the policies that affect their lives and must be given the right information and tools to do so," said Eddie N. Williams, president of the Joint Center. "The papers identify several successful models that, if adopted, can make tangible differences in the quality of people's health and lives." The interviews with African American and Latino officials also point to other reasons for increased community involvement: tight government coffers and battles over the appropriate role of government. The officials interviewed stressed the need for communities and residents to take the initiative, rather than waiting for the federal or state governments. Noting that most policy efforts to reduce disparities have focused on expanding access and improving experiences within the health care system, the reports call for more cohesive plans that also recognize the socio-economic conditions of lower-income areas and neighborhoods. "Beyond access to care and individual experiences at the doctor's office, community conditions, such as air quality and safe neighborhoods for kids are critical factors in dictating the quality of life for many Americans," said Dr. Gail C. Christopher, director of the Joint Center's Health Policy Institute. Some key recommendations in the briefs include: -- Accelerated development of nutrition and activity standards for schools -- Changing zoning laws to decrease industrial pollutants in or near residential areas *More effective enforcement of water quality laws to reduce lead and other toxicity -- Increasing the number, safety, and affordability of exercise venues, such as parks and walking paths. -- Revising eligibility rules that restrict access to care for immigrants -- Greatly improving customer access to fresh fruits and vegetables at urban markets and convenience stores The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, conducts research and analyses on public policy issues of concern to African Am ericans and other minorities, promotes their involvement in the governance process, and operates programs that create coalitions within minority, business, and other diverse communities. For more information, visit http://www.jointcenter.org. |