More Than 1,000 Racial/Ethnic Minorities in Boston Received Care During City’s First Year of Initiative To Reduce Health Disparities, Report Says
As part of a citywide initiative to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities, Boston in the last year delivered medical services to more than 1,000 residents who previously lacked medical care, according to a report released on Monday, the Boston Globe reports. The report was prepared by Northeastern University and presented at a conference. After statements by Mayor Thomas Menino in 2005 that racial health disparities are the city's most urgent issue, the Boston Public Health Commission developed a plan to address the issue. As part of the campaign, more than 450 health care professionals participated in medical care cultural competency training. The city also provided grants to local health care and community organizations. As a result, the more than 1,000 patients received HIV tests and diabetes and cancer screenings, some for the first time. Health care workers also helped minority patients navigate the health care system. Menino Monday in a statement said, "We know that we have a long way to go, but this is a start, and we will learn from the experience of the first-year projects as we move forward with our efforts in Boston" (Smith, Boston Globe, 3/13).
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