Racial and ethnic disparities in health care are the result of complex issues that cannot be eliminated with a single strategy or by any one group. Efforts to address inequities and gaps in care require a clear vision, strong leadership, systematic change, and collaboration among key stakeholders, including consumers, clinicians, hospitals, employers, health plans, government agencies, and the community at large.
Health plans play a key role initiating and leading change in the collection of data on race, ethnicity, and primary language; cross-cultural communication training of health care professionals; improvements in clear health communication; development of quality improvement programs to reduce disparities; and measuring progress over time.
Health Care Equity Core Elements
Health Literacy
A promising approach to improving health care quality and reducing disparities is the use of clear and effective health communication. Clear and simple health information enhances a consumer’s ability to effectively navigate the health care system and make well-informed decisions. A growing number of health plans are actively engaged in working to improve health literacy, either as a self standing initiative or through their disparities and quality improvement efforts.
Data Collection on Race, Ethnicity and Language
Strong evidence suggests that race, ethnicity, language and socio-cultural factors impact how health care is accessed and delivered. Collection of these data are vital for identifying variations in the quality of care experience among different groups; developing and implementing effective prevention and treatment strategies; and facilitating the provision of culturally and linguistically appropriate health care.
From 2003-2011, the AHIP Foundation collaborated with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) to assess the extent to which health plans collect and use data on their members’ race, ethnicity, and language to improve quality and health care equity. Four representative surveys of the industry (2003, 2006, 2008, and 2010) highlight the experience of commercial, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid plans.
Language Access
Health plans have a long standing tradition and commitment to support efforts to improve language and culturally appropriate communications by increasing the availability of language access services and developing culturally-appropriate educational materials in multiple languages to better reach a diverse membership.
Cultural Competency
Health plans recognize the importance of understanding cultural differences and their impact on how individuals access appropriate health care services and manage their health. Cross-cultural programs geared for diverse audiences and training for health care professionals can build a solid foundation to improve quality of care and reduce health care disparities among our nation’s growing diverse population.
Measuring Quality Improvement and Disparities-Reduction
Health plans have a tradition of sharing information on successful models to encourage adoption of proven strategies. Health plan case studies featuring innovative practices demonstrate improvements and lessons towards achieving health care equity. These programs serve as examples of promising approaches for institutionalizing meaningful change.
Collaborations
Latest Documents
Health plans have made substantial progress in the collection of language data and many are offering options for language services.
Articles
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Clinical Affairs
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12/19/2011
Effective Strategies to Promote Influenza Vaccine Uptake Among Culturally Diverse Populations
Multimedia Library
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11/10/2011
Each year more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu. Dont let the flu interrupt your time together. EVERYONE 6 months of age and older should be immunized. A flu vaccine reduces your risk of illness, hospitalization, or even death and can prevent you from spreading the virus to your loved ones. Protect your fa
PSA
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10/03/2011
Collection of Race and Ethnicity Data by Health Plans Has Grown Substantially, But Opportunities Remain to Expand Efforts, Health Affairs
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10/01/2011
Since 2003, Americas Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) and its member companies have been working to increase awareness on the importance of collecting race, ethnicity, and primary language data of its enrollees to address disparities in health care and improve overall quality of care for all Americans.
Reports/Fact Sheets/Briefs/Talking Points
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03/01/2009
AHIP and its member companies recognize that racial and ethnic disparities in health care are the result of complex issues that cannot be eliminated with a single strategy or by any one group. Efforts to reduce inequities and attain true progress will require a clear vision, strong leadership, systematic change and collaboration among key stakeholders, including consumers, clinicians, hospitals, employers, health plans, government agencies, and the community at large. Health plans play key roles initiating and leading change in the collection of data on race, ethnicity, and primary language; cross-cultural communication training of health care professionals; improvements in clear health communication; development of quality improvement programs to reduce disparities; and measuring progress over time.
Reports/Fact Sheets/Briefs/Talking Points
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Clinical Affairs
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03/01/2009
Advocacy Coalitions
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09/01/2008
Over the past three years, health insurance plans have made significant strides in collecting race and ethnicity data of enrollees to help reduce disparities.
Reports/Fact Sheets/Briefs/Talking Points
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11/01/2006
Health Insurance Plans Address Disparities in Care: Highlights of AHIP/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Quantitative and Qualitative Research Grant Provided By: 3 Health Insurance Plans Address Disparities in Care: Highlights of AHIP/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Quantitative and Qualitative Research BACKGROUND . . . .
Reports/Fact Sheets/Briefs/Talking Points
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10/01/2005
In 2002, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a landmark report indicating that racial and ethnic minorities receive lower quality health care than non-minorities.
Reports/Fact Sheets/Briefs/Talking Points
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06/01/2004
Health Insurance Plans Address Disparities in Care: Highlights of a 2004 AHIP/RWJF Quantitative Survey Collection and Use of Data on Race and Ethnicity Collection and Use of Data on Race and Ethnicity Americas Health Insurance Plans Background FAST FACTS The 137 plans that responded to the survey represent 88.1 million
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06/01/2004
AHIP member company produced video - Amerigroup: Coordinated Case Management
Multimedia Library
AHIP member company produced video - Amerigroup: Dedicated Doctors and Nurses
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AHIP member company produced video - BCBS of Massachusetts: The Alternative Quality of Contract
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Center for Policy and Research
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Center for Policy and Research
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Center for Policy and Research
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Center for Policy and Research
Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield - Keeping Medications Affordable
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Center for Policy and Research
Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield Video - Overcoming Confusion about Medications after a Hospital or Rehab Stay
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Center for Policy and Research
Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield Video - Protecting Patients from Adverse Drug Interactions
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Center for Policy and Research
AHIP member company produced video - Group Health Cooperative: Living Well with Chronic Conditions
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AHIP member company produced video - Group Health Cooperative: The Medical Home
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HealthPartners Video - Achieving Results that Make a Difference for Diabetes Patients
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Center for Policy and Research
HealthPartners Video - Coaching Patients on Reaching Goals for Better Health
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Center for Policy and Research
Health Partners Video - Empowering Patients with Diabetes to Improve Their Health
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Center for Policy and Research
HealthPartners Video -The Diabetes Wizard
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Center for Policy and Research
AHIP member company produced video - Humana: Humana Cares
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Independence Blue Cross video - Enabling Doctors and Nurses to Realize their Goals for Excellence
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Center for Policy and Research
Independence Blue Cross's doctors, nurses, medical assistants, and pharmacists work together to make sure that patients have the lab tests, primary and specialty care, and patient support they need to live healthy lives.
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Center for Policy and Research
Kaiser Permanente Video - Making Exercise a Vital Sign
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Center for Policy and Research
Kaiser Permanente Video - Offering Culturally Sensitive Counseling for Weight Loss
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Center for Policy and Research
Kaiser Permanente Video - Using Web-Based Learning and Social Media to Help Patients Lose Weight
Multimedia Library
AHIP member company produced video - Molina: Shorts for Shorties and Check Up or Check Out
Multimedia Library
AHIP member company produced video - SCAN Health Plan: A Better Way to Care
Multimedia Library