Pfizer Program Seeks To Reduce Racial Health Disparities Among Diabetes Patients
The drug company Pfizer on Wednesday announced that it has launched a no-cost, online toolkit to help community health centers reduce racial health disparities, particularly among minorities who have diabetes, United Press International reports (United Press International, 1/17). The toolkit is an online version of a program -- called Friends in Health, launched by the Pfizer subsidiary Pfizer Health Solutions -- that helps community-based health workers become a "bridge" between people with diabetes and community and health system resources. The program's goal is to try to improve residents' health and lower health costs. A new Web site, AmigosEnSalud.com, provides detailed steps that health organizations can take to recruit and train community-based workers, develop and implement the program, and measure results. Culturally appropriate educational materials, a graduation toolkit, a database for program evaluation and tips on how to advertise the program also are available on the Web site. Pfizer Health Solutions has tested the program in Hartford, Conn.; Laredo, Texas; and Los Angeles (Pfizer Health Solutions release, 1/17). Pfizer Health Solutions Vice President John Sory said, "By making the program available online, we hope that organizations across the (United States) will adopt" the program (United Press International, 1/17).
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