New Commission to Correct Disparities in Health Care

New Commission to Correct Disparities in Health Care

Several reports have appeared recently highlighting health care disparities among racial groups in the country. In an effort to end this growing gap and help minority patients get appropriate health care, the American Medical Association (AMA), the National Medical Association, and the National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) have formed the Commission to End Health Care Disparities.

This new commission, which is made up of leaders from several US physicians’ organizations and more than 30 health-related groups, aims to increase physicians’ awareness to this problem as well as to develop strategies to eliminate such gaps in care based on race and culture.

“Our nation’s physicians must strive to ensure that all patients can receive the highest quality of health care,” said John C. Nelson, MD, MPH, president of the AMA. “The causes of health disparities are complex, and raising awareness is an important step toward ending inequality in care. This is a historic time when medical and public health organizations are coming together to identify and implement strategies for eliminating health care disparities.”

The commission has created 4 committees designed to improve patient care. Already underway are 2 projects—a wide-ranging survey of physicians about health care inequalities and the underlying reasons for them, and a promotion of selected training programs that use case study work, self-assessment activities, and video vignettes to raise physicians’ cultural competency.

“A one-size-fits-all approach to medicine does not recognize the special needs of our diverse patient population,” said Elena Rios, MD, MSPH, president and CEO of NHMA. “It is important that medical care is tailored to meet the needs of various racial and ethnic groups.”