UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Addresses Racial Health Disparities
17 June 2024 |
Black Americans face a 40% higher mortality rate from breast cancer, despite having a lower incidence of the disease than non-Hispanic White Americans. In this article from the Lake Union Herald, Dr. Bryant from UChicago Medicine AdventHealth explains that structural health inequities, later cancer diagnoses, and aggressive molecular subtypes prevalent among Black Americans drive this disparity.
This alarming breast cancer mortality rate highlights broader systemic health inequalities that disproportionately affect Black Americans. They suffer from higher disease rates and have a life expectancy four years shorter than non-Hispanic White Americans.
To tackle these disparities, UChicago Medicine AdventHealth and its four Chicago-area hospitals, along with other AdventHealth hospitals across nine states, are actively conducting comprehensive community health needs assessments. Fabiola Zavala, the regional director of community health, emphasizes that their data-driven approach involves collecting and analyzing health data from resident surveys, focus groups, and census data to specifically tailor community health plans.
These assessments have identified a critical need for better access to quality care for uninsured and underinsured individuals. In response, UChicago Medicine AdventHealth GlenOaks and LaGrange hospitals have established free medical mission clinics. These clinics provide screenings and manage chronic diseases for individuals who cannot afford health care. Additionally, recognizing the mental health stigma in Black and Hispanic/Latino communities, UChicago Medicine AdventHealth has partnered with the National Alliance for Mental Illness to offer Mental Health First Aid training to faith leaders. This empowers them to support their communities more effectively.
The organization also focuses on managing chronic diseases outside the hospital. By partnering with community organizations, they ensure patients have the necessary resources to effectively manage conditions like diabetes, reducing rehospitalization chances. They’ve also hired community health workers who support inpatients by addressing social determinants of health before they are discharged, aiming to improve long-term health outcomes. Using the data and these strategic initiatives, UChicago Medicine AdventHealth is continuing to work to achieve equitable health outcomes for all of the demographics in their community.
