Policy Brief

"Targeting Root Causes to Address Inequities and Improve Health: Implications for Health Reform," Center for Health Improvement Policy Brief, written by Tony Iton, MD, JD, MPH; Karen Shore, PhD; Nancy Adler, PhD; Christine Chen, MPP; and Joseph Griffin, MPH. July 2009.

Resources

Health Inequities Audio File (15MB)

Agenda

Biographies for Panelists

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation "Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Access to and Quality of Health Care" Research Report (September 2007)

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation "Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Access to and Quality of Health Care" Policy Brief (September 2007)

Institute of Medicine "Unequal Treatement: What Healthcare Providers Need to Know About Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health-Care" (March 2002)

Kaiser Permanente Institute for Health Policy "Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities" Issue Brief (2007)

'Health Inequities: Root Causes and Innovative Solutions'

February 21, 2008
State Capitol, Room 2040
Sacramento, CA
1p.m. – 3p.m.

Session Objective:

The existence of ethnic and racial disparities in health care has been well documented by numerous sources, including the landmark 2002 Institute of Medicine report, “Unequal Treatment." Nonetheless, a lack of consensus still exists on the extent of the problem, its causes, and potential solutions. Health disparities result from a complex interplay of a variety of factors--such as economic opportunity, cultural norms, access to safe streets--and the solutions need to mirror that complexity. Efforts to date show little coordination or exchange across broad sectors. Although some progress has been made, more needs to be done to engage a broader dialogue and work toward developing a cohesive, integrated, interdisciplinary strategy for action. This session is designed to push the dialogue beyond the documentation of the existence of health disparities and toward a discussion of programs and initiatives currently underway in California and other states, and policy options that should be considered to create a synergistic, strategic approach to reducing health disparities.

Key Questions to Be Answered:

Does California have the political will to develop a statewide strategy to reduce health disparities? Who are the key partners and players to engage in building political will? What should they be doing?
What current political opportunities could be identified as the springboard for implementation of a statewide policy?
How can we ensure that a conceptual approach focused on underlying determinants and community solutions translate into effective policy and practice?

Panelists:

Nancy Adler, PhD, Chair, Macarthur Foundation Research Network on Socioeconomic Status and Health
Anthony Iton, MD, JD, MPH, Director and Health Officer
José Martín, LMFT Contra Costa County Health Department, Reducing Health Disparities Leader
Martin Martinez, MPP, Policy Director, California Pan-Ethnic Health Network
Linda Rudolph, MD, MPH, Health Officer, City of Berkeley Public Health Division
Paul Simon, MD, MPH, Director, Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention Los Angeles County Department of Public Health