Change in the Community

Community Development Racial
PRINCIPALS OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
The perception of Racial and Ethnic Bias in the Healthcare System: A Case Study on one city (A Community Perspective)
Introduction
Public health in America has benefited from various innovations and advanced medical technology. However, these developments do not serve all Americans. Even in modern times disparities exist between whites and minorities in terms of health care. For instance the rate due to heart disease and stokes were higher for African Americans than for whites: 30% and 41% respectively, in 2002. The infant mortality rate for African Americans was higher compared to that of whites, in spite the fact that the national infant mortality rate had decreased. In 2004, African Americans had the highest diagnosis rate for HIV; 50%. (Centre for health care strategies)
Ensuring equity in health care is necessary in order to prevent premature death, control disease, prevent unnecessary illness or disability and promote the quality of life for all citizens. An intervention by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention lead to the formation of Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH). The program’s mandate is to identify, minimize and eventually eliminate health disparities that exist along racial and ethnic divides. Minority groups are the main victims of health care inequity. As a result the REACH program targets; African Americans, American Indians, Asian Americans, Latinos, Alaska natives and Pacific Islanders. These communities need to be involved in the REACH program since, they are after all the beneficiaries. Individuals, community leaders and opinion leaders need to be consulted and empowered. REACH has developed strategies that improve health care in various communities, work sites, schools, after school settings and in health care facilities. (Policy link)
Application of community development principles of good practice to research on racial and health care...