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Collaborative Healthcare: Interprofessional Practice, Education and Evaluation (JCIPE)

Abstract

“Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.” – Martin Luther King

Health outcomes and life expectancy in the United States of America differ substantially based on race. For example, people of color are more likely to die of cardiovascular disease or stroke; more likely to have diabetes; and have higher infant and maternal mortality rates as compared to their white counterparts (Frieden, 2013). Achieving health equity is a key focus of Healthy People 2030 (HHS, 2013), which prioritizes addressing social determinants of health, including access to timely, high-quality healthcare and effective healthcare communication. Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services developed a conceptual framework linking diversity amongst healthcare practitioners to improved health outcomes (Williams, et al., 2014). In this framework, increased diversity within the healthcare workforce leads to: (1) increased concordance between healthcare practitioners and patients/clients relative to race, ethnicity and language, which improves trust amongst and more effective communication with persons of color; (2) increased healthcare service to underserved communities; (3) improved trust in the overall healthcare system by disadvantaged groups; and (4) greater advocacy for disadvantaged groups (Williams, et al., 2014). These factors can lead to enhanced access to and use of healthcare and subsequently improved health outcomes and quality of care. This framework was expanded by Williams and colleagues (2014) to indicate that improved health outcomes and quality of care can reduce health disparities and lead to health equity.

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