Hispanics & Health
Disparities Summit Series
Recommendations
National Hispanic Medical Association
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Office of Minority Health
Elena Rios, MD, MSPH, President & CEO, NHMA
2008
NHMA – Who are We?
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Established in 1994 in DC, non-profit 501c6
association representing 36,000 Hispanic
physicians in the U.S.
Mission: to improve the health of Hispanics and
other underserved
NHMA Board of Directors
Established its foundation, National Hispanic
Health Foundation, 501c3, for research and
education activities – affiliated with NYU Wagner
Graduate School of Public Service
American Latinos & Health Care
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Largest ethnic group now and in new America
 2050: America
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will be a nation >50% bicultural groups
Most uninsured (over one-third of all Hispanics)
Most problems with disparities in health care
according to US DHHS 2006 Disparities Report
Need for cultural, language, education services
System lacks Hispanic researchers, providers
and leaders in public/private agencies
Pew/RWJF Survey & Reform Policy
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2009 Health Care Reform Information
 Health
communication channels in community: <30yo
 Low literacy, bicultural, bilingual – NEW MEDIA
 Internet & cable TV - social marketing
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2009 usual health care provider: health team
with community linkages who can change
behavior with low educated communities
 Recruit
Latino healthcare workforce now
 National prevention curriculum - diabetes, obesity
NHMA & HHS Summits 2008
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To develop consensus recommendations to
improve the health of the Hispanic community
targeted to Federal programs and policies over
the next 5 years.
3 Regional Summits – 300 participants
 NYC,
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Sacramento, CA, Austin, TX
Announced recommendations at NHMA Annual
Conference, April 18th, DC to the health policy
advisors of Obama, Clinton, McCain
Stakeholder Participants
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Clinics/Community
agencies
Hospitals
Medical Schools
Foundations
Pharma Cos.
Insurance Cos.
Government
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Business – Corp +
 Media
 Unions
 Hispanic
Chambers of
Commerce
 Physicians
 Consultants
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Associations
K-12
Federal Health Policy Focus Areas
Access to HealthCare
 Prevention of Diabetes and Obesity
 Increasing Hispanics in the Health
Professions
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Access Recommendations
1. Financing
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Universal and affordable health insurance
coverage
eligibility for public programs –
families, undocumented, legal doc, FPL level
 Comprehensive benefits - preventive, mental
health, dental, educational services
 Individual mandates, automatic for all
 Portable, quality measures, accountable
 Expand
Access Recommendations
1. Financing
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Public-Private partnerships with community
demonstrations for low cost care delivery
(eg. Mobile clinics)– with understanding of
poverty, social determinants of health, outcomes
for increasing health equity, preventive services
that are culturally/linguistically appropriate, midlevel providers, promotoras
Access Recommendations
2. Health Care System
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Enforce standards for Culturally and Linguistically
Appropriate Services (JACHO)
Promote cultural competency provider training
(incentives, performance payments, Federal
clearinghouse)
Language services – interpreters, pooling of resources,
federal laws on access to services
Race/ethnicity/Language data --mandatory
Support providers in underserved communities
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Strengthen DSH payment system to private practice
Expand NHSC or similar program
Access Recommendations
2. Health Care System
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Invest in a diverse workforce
 Fully
fund HCOP, COE
 Emphasize diversity throughout the pipeline
Medical Home = CHCs for all + increase
referral systems to tertiary care
 Patient centered care
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Access Recommendations
3. Education/Marketing
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Promote Awareness
 Standard
health education in K-12
 Use promotoras for community education
National Media Campaigns
 Incentives/reimbursement for patient
education
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