Assemblywoman Fiona Ma: Tackling health disparities

Recently, I was invited to participate on the National Conference of State Legislatures' (NCSL) Minority Health Advisory Group to provide input for a draft of the "National Plan of Action to End Disparities" and, more specifically, to raise awareness about health concerns in the Asian American community - such as Hepatitis B.

In 2006, the federal Office of Minority Health (OMH), at the US Department of Human Services, created the National Partnership for Action and convened a federal team to address health disparities. From 2007 - 2009, OMH held a series of meetings with diverse communities and organizations to develop strategies and actions to systematically address health disparities. These meetings led to the creation of the "National Plan of Action to End Disparities," a unique bottoms-up approached plan (The Plan).

Health disparities can be based not only on race and ethnicity, but also on geography, gender and socioeconomic status. The Plan provides a road map - a starting point - of the collaborative strategies and collective actions.

Minority populations now comprise 34 percent of the total US population, and are increasing in number faster than the white population. Minorities are expected to represent 40 percent of the population by the year 2030.

In September 2009, the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies issued "The Economic Burden of Health Inequities in the United States," which provides insight to the costs associated with not eliminating health disparities. The study concluded that the combined costs of heath inequalities and premature death in this country were $1.24 trillion and will rise exponentially in the near future. This is a health and economic crisis that needs to be addressed immediately and collectively.

While there are many underlying social causes for health disparities, such as the environment, race or poverty that must be dealt with, there are still many things that individuals can do to take control of his or her own health. Actions as simple as getting tested for Hepatitis B or modifying one's diet to prevent diabetes can go a long way. There is nothing more important than our collective health and prevention and early testing are key factors in securing a healthy future for all.

To review the draft "National Plan for Action to End Disparities," provide input or get more involved in this movement, please log onto the Web site at www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov.

Assemblywoman Fiona Ma represents the Sunset and Richmond districts.