Health Disparities Portfolio Expanded to Include More Chronic Health Conditions

In 2022, PlusInc launched its national campaign to raise awareness about health disparities among marginalized communities in the United States. Health Equity can only be achieved by addressing and changing the systemic institutional and societal barriers that result in health disparities. Initially, our health disparities portfolio focused on COVID-19, Escherichia coli Pyomyositis (ExPEC), HIV/AIDS, Mental Health, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Substance Use Disorder (opioids, stimulants), and Viral Hepatitis (HBV, HCV). Next year, we will expand our reach into seven additional chronic health conditions to complement the work we’re already doing.

In 2023, PlusInc’s expanded health disparities portfolio will include:

1. Behavioral Health

2. Cancer - Colon

3. Cancer - Melanoma

4. Cardiovascular Disease

5. Maternal Health & Mortality

6. Respiratory - Asthma

7. Respiratory - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

The additions represent a broad array of the health issues long plaguing marginalized communities in the United States, as well as others emerging as incident rates increase and more data becomes available on them. For example, we have known for quite some time that poor maternal health outcomes disproportionately impact communities of color. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), black mothers are three times more likely than white mothers to die from maternal health complications, and many of them avoidable with better care. Additionally, a federal study on maternal deaths yielded a very troubling statistic: most (like, 90%) maternal deaths among Indigenous mothers were preventable. More troubling is pregnant mothers are now being threatened by a new trend in the United States, namely maternity care ‘deserts’ are on the rise.

But there are other deserts impacting quality healthcare. There are significant care gaps in behavioral health. Fortunately, there is a new behavioral health data mapping tool, which could remedy the problem. Change won’t happen unless such tools are accompanied by heightened awareness, additional resources, and better community outreach. PlusInc exists to help in this effort.

Moving forward into next year, PlusInc will build upon our momentum we started this year by not only taking a deeper dive into the health disparities surrounding these chronic health conditions, but also evaluating how they’re impacting local communities.