Akron meeting looks for solutions to health disparities

A daylong summit in Akron led to several recommendations for closing the gap health disparity gap in the area (Source: “Racial health disparity targeted,” Akron Beacon Journal, Sept. 11, 2008).

The “Local Conversation on Minority Health” event was sponsored by the Akron Health Department’s Office of Minority Health and attracted about two dozen representatives from community organizations and local hospitals.

The recommendations that were developed at the end of the meeting included promoting better collaboration between agencies by adopting a “no wrong door” policy, meaning if someone seeks assistance from the wrong agency, they will not be turned away. Other suggestions were to actively recruit minority students into health professions in order to improve the diversity of the health care work force, and to better educate the public through TV ads, grocery bag inserts and text messaging about services that are already available.