Health Policy: The Response to Bojana Bojanovic
Defining health disparity as “a particular type of health inequality stemming from social, economic, or environmental disadvantage,” the Action Plan from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) focuses on reducing particularly ethnic and racial disparities in access to health care (Koh, Graham & Glied, 2011, p. 1823). According to it, the large communities of ethnic and racial minorities in the United States have limited access to primary care and the treatment of such severe conditions, as diabetes, cancer, hepatitis, AIDS, mental and cardiovascular diseases. The Plan suggests addressing the issue of ethnic and racial health disparities from different perspectives; from increasing the number of community health workers to promoting the data capturing and research to reduce inequities. The objective and elaborated strategy of HHS should make positive transformations in medical treatment delivery for minority Americans, providing access for all members, affordable social conditions, translation services, and professional assistance.
Health Policy: The Response to Kayla Hunt
The issue of the Action Plan from the Department of Health and Human Services that consisted of the lack of activities’ specifications seems to be reasonable. Although it describes the main directions and spheres of disparities-reduction development, particular actions remain unclear. One of the main disparity difficulties consists of cultural and language differences. Regarding this, under the thread of improving cultural, medical, and linguistics competence and diversity of the workforce, there should be actions oriented on medical personnel training. Doctors from racial and ethnic minorities will be able to provide qualified medical assistance along with a deep understanding of the cultural peculiarities and languages of patients. Awareness-raising of the significance of health disparities and the health care affordability for the communities should be performed through media sources, tutorials, discussion groups, and conferences (Koh, Graham & Glied, 2011). With the Action Plan, HHS efforts should be fostered on the strategies’ execution in practice with governmental financial support.
References
Koh, H. K., Graham, G., & Glied, S. A. (2011). Reducing racial and ethnic disparities: The action plan from the department of health and human services. Health Affairs, 30(10), 1822-1829. Web.