AHA endorses Senate resolution promoting minority health awareness

The AHA today endorsed a Senate resolution promoting minority health awareness and supporting the goals and ideals of April’s National Minority Health Month, which focuses on bridging health equity across communities. “Your resolution is consistent with the vision of the AHA: a society of healthy communities, where all individuals reach their highest potential for health,” said AHA Executive Vice President Tom Nickels in a letter of support to the resolution’s sponsor, Sen. Benjamin Cardin (D-MD). “As the AHA works to preserve health insurance coverage for millions of Americans, we are mindful that, even after adjusting for coverage, stark disparities in health care and health status between racial and ethnic groups persist. We believe that commitment to health equity is necessary to eliminate these disparities. Our member hospitals and health systems are working toward that goal by increasing data collection and analysis, improving cultural competency, and addressing the social determinants of health.”