Congresswoman Points to “Glaring Health Disparities in Detroit” at CareAdvisors/Detroit NAHSE Event
CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–More than a year into the pandemic, Detroit healthcare leaders recently gathered with Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence, representing Michigan’s 14th Congressional District, to discuss constricted access to social services.
“Black Americans were more likely to get infected, more likely to be hospitalized, and more likely to die from the coronavirus,” Congresswoman Lawrence stated. “Even with the vaccine, we are now facing another hurdle: we’re less likely to receive the shot in our arms. We have lower vaccination rates than any other group. It’s why we need a targeted approach to close these health gaps.”
Joining the virtual session were Denise Brooks-Williams, FACHE, senior vice president and CEO of North Market at Henry Ford Health System; Anthony V. King, FACHE, MHSA, CEO of The Wellness Plan Medical Centers; Audrey E. Smith, MPH, president, National Association of Health Services Executives, (Detroit Chapter) and COO, Family Medical Center of Michigan; and Dr. Alexis Travis, senior deputy director, Aging and Adult Services at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Co-hosted by CareAdvisors, a healthcare technology firm, and the National Association of Health Services Executives Public Policy Committee (Detroit Chapter), the Urgent Means Project Roundtable was moderated by Karen Bouffard of The Detroit News.
During the roundtable, panelists discussed lessons learned and innovative ways that their organizations have increased services and shared resources.
The Congresswoman also spoke about the federal plan to expand access: “The Biden administration is requesting $153 million as part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Social Determinants of Health Program to support the research for improved health equality and data collection of racial and ethnic populations…If we don’t start addressing these underlying conditions: obesity, food deserts that lead to obesity, and talk about diabetes and hypertension, so that we can do the analytical, medical research to attack and reduce these underlying social determinants, the next time — and there will be another virus — we will be in the same place.”
About CareAdvisors
CareAdvisors provides value-based social care automation to some of the largest U.S. health systems and health plans. Our team previously built one of the largest navigation programs in the nation, helping more than one million Illinois residents enroll in social services and gain access to resources. For more information, visit care-advisors.com.
Contacts
Maureen Daugherty
[email protected]
708-363-7300
