Health Disparities
Health disparities refer to gaps in health status and health care equity across racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups. Eliminating health disparities has been an ongoing focus of health centers since their inception in 1965. Many health center patients are from ethnic and racial minorities, and are disproportionately affected by chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma, cancer depression and HIV/AIDS. All health center clinical initiatives are aimed at addressing health disparities, including innovative and highly successful Health Disparities Collaboratives.
Health Disparities Collaboratives
Thirty-nine community health centers currently participate in at least one Health Disparities Collaborative (HDC), applying the Care Model for performance improvement. HDCs help individuals better collaborate with health care professionals to strengthen and support self-care in the management of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, asthma and heart disease. Patients work with their physicians to set goals and develop action plans that assist them to meet key health objectives related to their chronic illness.