Health care is a pressing issue on many people’s minds. From access to affordability, health care concerns can be difficult to discuss and navigate, leading to care gaps. In California, people of color continue to face health care disparities at higher rates than the general population.
The American College of Physicians published a 2021 policy paper that details the wide health care equity gap among diverse populations in the U.S. Here are some important takeaways:
- Black men are twice as likely as white men to die prematurely from a stroke.
- Black women are more likely than white women to die of breast cancer.
- Racial or ethnic minority children are more likely to develop type 2 than type 1 diabetes. They’re also more likely to develop diabetes complications and lower limb amputations.
While these statistics paint a challenging picture, some organizations are developing methods to address these health equity issues and make a positive impact on the future.
Solutions to health care disparities
Strategic approaches that include community-based programs and cultural competency can improve community health outcomes and mitigate systemic inequities.
“Closing health equity gaps is critical in our increasingly diverse society that embraces inclusiveness,” said Dr. Pooja Mittal, health equity lead at Health Net of California. “Reaching out to and connecting with communities of color is critical to the work we do. It’s about good science. It’s about good medicine. It’s about person-centered care.”
Health Net published their findings and recommendations in “Getting to Care: A Key Findings Report About Health Equity in California.” The goal of this report is to help increase awareness of best practices and reduce disparities across California’s Medi-Cal population.
The report identified four main approaches to improve health equity:
- Understand that cultural competency is key
- Recognize that community-based resources drive the greatest impact
- Implement multi-faceted interventions
- Leverage both qualitative and quantitative data to develop local solutions that drive meaningful outcomes grounded in lived experiences
These findings are based on successful programs and partnerships moved toward better health equity in several California communities. Successful local examples include:
- A doula program resulted in a 50% drop in C-section rates for Black mothers in South Los Angeles.
- A health partnership produced a 4% increase in cervical cancer screenings among Mandarin-speaking Chinese women.
- A direct assistance program helped 400 individuals, focused on farmworkers in Fresno, to apply for Medi-Cal benefits, allowing them to enroll in health coverage for the first time.
These examples demonstrate that health care disparities can be addressed through community-based approaches rooted in cultural competency. Health Net offers many strategic approaches to addressing the health care needs of all Californians. To learn more about what programs and assistance they offer, visit healthnet.com.
