Page 48 - LIN April 2023 Web File. reduce

Closing the Gaps in

Minority Healthcare

Helps Us All

National Minority Health Month is observed
in April, an initiative that targets the health
needs of African Americans, Hispanics, Asians,
Native Americans, and other minorities.

by Jamie Ulmer, CEO of Healthcare Network
Yet community Health Centers like Healthcare Network
he observation is designed to build
awareness regarding the unequal burden improve access to high quality primary care for at-risk populations,
Tof preventable death and illness in these as well as people with insurance, while decreasing hospitalization
groups. Racial and ethnic minority populations rates and use of emergency departments in the states and counties
have higher rates of poor health than White that they serve.
counterparts in a range of conditions, including Mental Health Services
diabetes, hypertension, obesity, asthma and heart The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality reports that
disease. racial and ethnic minority groups in the U.S. are less likely to have
National Minority Health Month is rooted
in the 1915 establishment of National Negro Health Week by access to mental health services.
Booker T. Washington. In 2002, National Minority Health Month Healthcare Network patients continue to benefit from an
received support from the U.S. Congress. The resolution encouraged integrated behavioral health model, where patients are screened for
“all health organizations and Americans to conduct appropriate mental and behavioral health issues during regular primary care
programs and activities to promote healthfulness in minority and appointments. Combining behavioral and mental health in one
other health disparity communities.” setting helps reduce the stigma many patients may feel when seeking
Healthcare Network was founded in 1977 as a nonprofit to mental health services.
tackle the medical issues of migrant farmworkers, the rural poor Maternal Health
and citizens in Collier County. As the only Federally Qualified Black Maternal Health Week is recognized each year from
Health Center in Collier County, Healthcare Network welcomes April 11-17. Black women are three times more likely to die from
all patients, regardless of insurance or job status, providing the same a pregnancy-related cause than White women. Multiple factors
high-quality care to all.
Community Health Centers like Healthcare Network are contribute to these disparities, including variations in accessing
not ordinary medical clinics. We are also problem-solvers who quality healthcare.
reach beyond the exam room to care for the whole person and Our new maternal-fetal medicine program focuses on women
help address the social determinants of health, such as connecting with high-risk or complicated pregnancies, specialty care not always
patients to resources like food and housing that are essential for a available to low-income mothers. In addition, we offer a wide range
person’s complete well-being. of in-office procedures such as management of ectopic pregnancy,
Here are just a few ways that Healthcare Network is working to the Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) to prevent
address racial healthcare disparities in Collier County. cervical cancer and vulvar biopsy. These procedures were previously
Health Crisis only accessible to our patients at a hospital, where the cost was often
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted existing health inequities,
with Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian prohibitive.
and Alaska Native populations in the U.S. experiencing higher rates Recognizing that healthcare needs to be accessible, affordable
of hospitalization and death compared to White populations. and comprehensive, our commitment to our community, as Collier
Healthcare Network worked with community partners in County continues to rapidly grow, is to be innovative in the ways we
Immokalee to provide culturally and language-appropriate reach at-risk populations.
information about COVID-19 to remote, vulnerable communities, In addition, it is increasingly important that the community
helping to combat challenges faced by underserved communities. supports nonprofit organizations already in place and working to
Primary Care address healthcare disparities in Black, Indigenous and people of
Racial minorities are more likely to live in primary care shortage color communities.
areas. Access to primary care is critical because of its role in About the Author
prevention, chronic disease management and as an overall entry Jamie Ulmer is President and CEO of Healthcare Network. He
point to the health care system.
The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration serves on the executive and chair committees for the Florida Association of
designates nearly all of Southwest Florida as a “Medically Community Health Centers and is a member of multiple committees for
Underserved Area,” meaning that there are too few primary care the National Association of Community Health Centers.
providers for the growing population.

239-658-3000 HealthcareSWFL.org SUPPORT: healthcareswfl.org/donate/

48 Life in Naples | April 2023