OAKLAND, Calif., March 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Statements From Dr. Ronald Copeland and Bernard J. Tyson, SVP
“To attack racial disparities in health care those of us in health care must adopt three essential strategies.
First: Reshape medical education. It is clear that traditional medical school training does not prepare physicians to address the needs of our increasingly diverse population. We should recognize that it is as important to master the skills of cultural competence as it is to master anatomy and biochemistry. So let’s insist that a culturally competent care curriculum be added to all medical school training.
Second: Let’s empower the patient. The doctor-patient relationship works best when the patient is informed and can share in his/her medical decisions. However, this requires creativity to find new ways of engaging and educating the public.
Third, and most importantly: We must regain the trust of our patients. When patients do not trust the health care system we cannot improve their health, we cannot gather critical medical information, and we cannot end racial disparities. We must listen to our patients, we must be their advocate and we must be active members of the community in which we live.
This is not a separate agenda for health care; it has to be part of any attempt to improve overall health care outcomes.”
Ronald Copeland, MD Medical Director, Ohio Permanente Medical Group Chairman, National Diversity Council, Kaiser Permanente
“Racial health care disparities are all too real in the United States today. Make no mistake: They are particularly prevalent in the African American community. Consider these examples:
-- The prevalence of diabetes in African Americans is approximately 70 percent higher than whites. -- For men and women combined, African Americans have a cancer death rate about 35 percent higher than that for whites. -- African Americans are half as likely to undergo angioplasty and coronary bypass surgery as white Americans.
The good news is that Kaiser Permanente is committed to eliminating these health care disparities. For Kaiser Permanente, this is a cause -- and it is a cause that dates back to the values espoused by our founders more than 60 years ago.
We are putting our money where our mouth is: Sponsoring the African American Family Health Video and Guidebook, in partnership with ICAM and American Academy of Family Physicians; forming relationship with key policymakers to work on a plan to eliminate disparities; creating tools for health care providers through our Institute for Culturally Competent Care, and supporting centers of excellence that serve as models for working with diverse populations. We are doing this because every person in America must enjoy the respect, dignity and the highest quality of care possible.”
Bernard Tyson Senior Vice President, Brand Strategy and Management Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente
CONTACT: Beverly Hayon of Kaiser Permanente, +1-510-271-5953
Web site: http://www.kaiserpermanente.org/