Health Disparities Task Force

The health disparities task force employs a multidisciplinary approach to address systemic inequities in healthcare. Focusing on critical areas such as infant and maternal health, chronic diseases, and sickle cell, the task force implements collaborative strategies advocating for policy reforms, and culturally competent care to eradicate health disparities and significantly improve health outcomes in the Black community and other vulnerable populations.

Infant & Maternal Health

CDC data show that Black women are two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women, with most of the maternal deaths being preventable . This heightened risk spans all income and education levels. Additionally, the mortality rate among Black infants in the U.S. is more than twice that of white infants—in some urban areas, even higher—and a growing body of evidence suggests that a key factor may be stress among black mothers caused by racial discrimination.

Overview: The overarching goal is to identify and rectify the systemic and structural factors that contribute to the disproportionately poor health outcomes experienced by this population. The overall focus of the Infant and Maternal Health Task Force is to bring together a multidisciplinary team of professionals with a commitment to health equity to develop specific, actionable, and measurable targets to significantly reduce mortality rates among Black mothers and babies. This is a long-term 3-5 year commitment.

Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a complex genetic disorder that manifests in infancy and progresses throughout life in the form of acute and chronic complications. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), sickle cell disease occurs among 1 out of every 365 Black or African-American births. About 1 in 13 Black or African-American babies is born with sickle cell trait (SCT). Experts predict these numbers will increase over the next few decades. Comparatively, SCD occurs among about 1 out of every 16,300 Latinx births; 1 in 11,500 Asian births; 1 in 2,700 Native American births; and 1 in 58,000 White births.

Purpose: The purpose of the sickle cell task force is to bring together a multidisciplinary team of experts with a commitment to health equity to develop specific, actionable, and measurable goals to ensure long, healthy, productive lives for those living with SCD and with SCT; to advance and extend healthy, productive lives for individuals living with SCD; advance understanding of the sickle cell trait. This is a long-term 3-5 year commitment.

Chronic Diseases

African Americans are at a higher risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity, cancer, influenza and pneumonia, and HIV/AIDS than other racial/ethnic groups

Overview: Addressing disparities in chronic diseases is a complex and multifaceted challenge that requires a comprehensive approach. To track progress and measure the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing these disparities, it's essential to monitor specific metrics and outcomes. The overall focus of the Chronic Disease Task Force is to bring together a multidisciplinary team of professionals with a commitment to health equity to develop specific, actionable, and measurable targets to reduce disparities in chronic diseases. This is a long term 3-5 year commitment.

Health Disparities Task Force

Health Disparities Task Force

Infant & Maternal Health

The Problem

Sickle Cell Disease

The Problem

Chronic Diseases

The Problem

Help Support the Fight to End Health Disparities in Kent County.