colorados efforts to reduce health disparities cerise hunt, msw office of health disparities...

Colorado’s Efforts to Reduce Health Disparities

Cerise Hunt, MSW

Office of Health Disparities

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

January 25, 2007

CO Demographics: Census Estimates 2002

Two or More Races1.5%

African American

3.8%Latino18.2%

Caucasian73.4%

American Indian0.7%

AAPI2.5%

CO Demographics

Minorities tip scales in Denver”Denver Post September 18, 2003

Denver = 50.1% people of color

Coloradans who speak a language other than English at home = 16%

Minority Health Advisory Commission

CDPHE Executive Director

MinorityHealth

Advisory Commission

Chief Medical Officer

Office of Health

Disparities

Minority Health Advisory Commission

Provide a formal mechanism of community members to give input on health programming at the level of the CDPHE Executive Director

Help CDPHE determine Culturally innovative data collection strategies

Strengthen collaborations between CDPHE and communities of color

The Office of Health Disparities

CDPHE Executive Director

Minority Health

Advisory Commission

Chief Medical Officer

Office of Health

Disparities

Office of Health Disparities Mission

The Office of Health Disparities is a state program of multi-cultural health professionals dedicated to eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities in Colorado, by fostering systems change and capacity building through multi-sectoral collaborations.

Office of Health Disparities Focus AreasHealth disparities data

Office of Health Disparities Focus Areas

Education on health disparities issues Community involvement for extending public

health programs Technical assistance to CDPHE, local health

departments, and community based organizations

Office of Health Disparities Focus Areas

Workforce diversity within public health Language services for individuals with limited

English proficiency Collaborative Leadership

Office of Health Disparities Focus Areas

Interagency Health Disparities Leadership Council (IHDLC)• Formed in January 2006, IHDLC is an independent

advisory council composed of 51 participants representing federal and state agencies, universities, community providers and foundations.

• IHDLC is a resource available to Colorado's leaders as they seek to address health disparities as part of broader efforts to improve health care in Colorado.

Office of Health Disparities Focus Areas

Interagency Health Disparities Leadership Council• Vision: Eliminating Health Disparities in Colorado by

2020.• Mission: To provide leadership, education and

resources to comprehensively eliminate health disparities in Colorado through collaboration, consultation, research and inclusion.

Health Disparities Grant Program(HDGP)

Colorado General Assembly recognized racial and ethnic minorities are disproportionately impacted by disease, injury disability and death.

Declared that is in the best interest of the State to establish a HDGP under House Bill 05-1262

The purpose is to provide financial support for statewide initiatives that address prevention, early detection, and treatment of cancer and cardiovascular disease including diabetes and other precursors, and pulmonary diseases in underrepresented populations.

Health Disparities Grant Program(HDGP)

HDGP is housed within the Office of Health Disparities

Awarded over 7 million dollars Total of 33 grantees, throughout Colorado

Colorado Minority Health Forum

Mission:The Colorado Minority Health Forum is an inclusive, membership organization that educates Colorado communities about the human cost of health disparities and advocates for the elimination of health disparities.

Colorado Mental Health Disparities

Summit October 13, 2006 Approximately 125 participants attended the

Summit including legislators; mental health centers and other providers; federal, state and local government; universities; foundations and community stakeholders.

Colorado Mental Health Disparities

Summit The Summit’s purpose:1. To share research and community perspectives on what

communities of color are doing well, their needs and the enhancements needed to support sustainability for culturally-traditional,-specific and mainstream providers to better meet the diverse mental health needs of Colorado’s communities; and

2. To bring together diverse communities, policymakers, funding sources and providers to better understand and address mental health disparities through policy action in Colorado.

OHD’s Website & Contact Information

www.cdphe@state.co.us/ohd

Cerise Hunt Team Lead/Health Disparities Specialist

Ph: 303-692-3474

E-mail: Cerise.hunt@state.co.us