Return to the blog »

My thoughts on a blueprint for change

Posted by: Sabrina Aggarwal on Apr 03, 2009

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter."

Delegate Shirley Natham-Pulliam shared this quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the third annual National Leadership Summit on Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health. The three-day summit, hosted by the Office of Minority Health, brought together 1,400 advocates from across the country-including physicians, policy makers, and researchers-to take part in a national dialogue on the health issues that plague communities of color and the policies and programs that would be most effective in eliminating health disparities. This year's conference theme seemed fitting, given the nature of the health care debate: "A Blueprint for Change."

The summit provided health care leaders with the opportunity to discuss the things that matter: concrete actions that would improve the health and health care outcomes for racial and ethnic minorities in the United States. Minorities, increasingly becoming the majority in the U.S., have less access to health care, have higher rates of injury and illness, and receive lower-quality care than their white counterparts.

Health care policies that address the needs of these diverse communities are essential. For example, reimbursing for health care providers practicing in underserved areas and providing language interpreter services in health care can increase access to culturally and linguistically appropriate health care. The economic stimulus package and reauthorization of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in early February are important stepping stones in rendering more equal health care among racial and ethnic minorities. Still, we need continued targeted efforts in health care reform that meet the varied health care needs of our diverse country.

As a young social justice advocate, my eyes were opened by the summit to the many ways I could positively effect and advocate for change. I hope to continue to learn how to be an advocate for minority communities who often do not have their voices heard.