Health Disparities High on National Health Policy Agenda

NEW YORK CITY ??? July 16, “Health Care Reform and Health Disparities was the topic of conversation at The New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM) on July 15. This is the second in a series of events hosted by NYAM and the National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) focusing on eliminating health disparities.

The briefing allowed the audience, members of the NHMA, a chance to engage with the 2008 presidential campaign health policy advisors. Speakers included Dr. Jo Ivey Boufford, President of NYAM, Dr. Elena Rios, President of NHMA, Dr. Joseph R. Betancourt, for Senator Barack Obama, Congressman Michael C. Burgess, MD (R-TX), for Senator John McCain, and Dr.

Congressman Michael C. Burgess, MD. and Joseph R. Betancourt MD. MPH

Elizabeth Lee-Rey, the co-director of the Hispanic Center for Excellence at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

“I cannot remember another time when health care was this high on the discussion list of both presidential nominees. I think we are on the cusp of a very transformational time in medicine” said Congressman Burgess, MD.

Lack of health insurance coverage tends to dominate the conversation about health care reform; however those who are uninsured typically face a wide range of disparities that also affect health. NYAM has placed itself in the forefront of global research by focusing on vulnerable populations living in urban environments, and conducting research to address the particular social determinants within each community. This type of information is critical. Providing health insurance coverage, preventive services and diversifying the health workforce can only go so far without a deeper understanding of the social determinants of health. “The most powerful predictor of health is socioeconomic status” said Dr. Lee-Rey.

Dr. Betancourt spoke about the relationship between health policy and social policy, “It is not just health policy that will cure our ills and address the nation’s health but it is social policy, policy that addresses housing, the environment, and living wage” he said.

The NHMA, a fierce advocate for the needs of Hispanic healthcare professionals, is currently working on promoting two bills: The Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2007, and The Minority Health and Health Disparity Improvement Act of 2007 that aim to establish a comprehensive approach in eliminating health disparities. “This is an opportunity for us to see Congress acknowledge that programs within The Department of Health and Human Services can be supported, increased and expanded to help our communities,” said Dr. Rios.

The work of both the NMHA and NYAM is critical in ensuring that upcoming health care reforms address the gaps particular to vulnerable populations. Both presidential advisors agreed that health care reform is inevitable and will be placed high on the 2009 domestic policy agenda. The critical point is to ensure that policymakers include the voices of the members of the health community serving the populations whose lives depend on this change.

Established in 1994 in Washington, DC, NHMA is a nonprofit association that represents licensed Hispanic physicians in the U.S. in its mission to improve health care for Hispanics and the underserved.

The New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM) has been advancing the health of people in cities since 1847. An independent organization, NYAM addresses the health challenges facing the world’s urban populations through interdisciplinary approaches to policy leadership, education, community engagement and innovative research. Drawing on the expertise of diverse partners worldwide and more than 2,000 elected Fellows from across the professions, our current priorities are to create environments in cities that support healthy aging; to strengthen systems that prevent disease and promote the public’s health; and to implement interventions that eliminate health disparities.

Posted on July 16, 2008

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Contact:
Andrew J. Martin
Director of Communications
The New York Academy of Medicine
1216 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10029
212-822-7285
amartin@nyam.org

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