Doctors discuss health disparities
Drew Avery
Issue date: 11/24/08 Section: News
On Tuesday, Nov. 18, Alpha Epsilon Delta, the premedical honor society, hosted three speakers from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences to give a lecture in the Arkansas Union Multicultural Center about state and national health disparities, as well as the importance of diversity in medical professions.
Vivian Flowers, director of recruitment for diversity, first addressed the audience of premed students on current attitudes and trends regarding diversity in medical schools and the world of professional medicine.
Dr. Creshelle Nash, a general internist, and Dr. Eduardo Ochoa, a pediatrician, both doctors at UAMS, next presented their research on the availability and quality of medical treatment available across the state and country to various ethnic and socioeconomic groups.
The information presented about the large gaps in health and health care between the poorer southeast part of Arkansas and the more affluent parts of the state surprised audience members, they said.
"The diversity event brought to light many of the disparities in rural and underserved communities that many AED members were unaware of," said John Garrett, Alpha Epsilon Delta reporter. "While many assumed there were differences, most were surprised to learn about how stark the differences are."
According to statistics and personal testimonies cited by Nash and Ochoa, death rates for African Americans, particularly those with low-income levels, are troublingly high when compared to those of white Americans. The high numbers of uninsured individuals, distrust of the current medical system, poor public health education and the low availability of specialists or quality, accessible care in the poorer regions of the state are all causes for the dejecting state of public health and health care in impoverished areas and among racial minorities, Nash and Ochoa said.
Ochoa also focused on health issues facing Latin Americans in the country.
Because the Latin American population is younger than other ethnic groups, it does not yet face the broad scope of age-related health issues such as diabetes and heart disease confronting others in high numbers. However, language and cultural differences between health care providers and patients have resulted and will continue to result in problems in treating the Latin American community and educating its members on wise health practices.
Vivian Flowers, director of recruitment for diversity, first addressed the audience of premed students on current attitudes and trends regarding diversity in medical schools and the world of professional medicine.
Dr. Creshelle Nash, a general internist, and Dr. Eduardo Ochoa, a pediatrician, both doctors at UAMS, next presented their research on the availability and quality of medical treatment available across the state and country to various ethnic and socioeconomic groups.
The information presented about the large gaps in health and health care between the poorer southeast part of Arkansas and the more affluent parts of the state surprised audience members, they said.
"The diversity event brought to light many of the disparities in rural and underserved communities that many AED members were unaware of," said John Garrett, Alpha Epsilon Delta reporter. "While many assumed there were differences, most were surprised to learn about how stark the differences are."
According to statistics and personal testimonies cited by Nash and Ochoa, death rates for African Americans, particularly those with low-income levels, are troublingly high when compared to those of white Americans. The high numbers of uninsured individuals, distrust of the current medical system, poor public health education and the low availability of specialists or quality, accessible care in the poorer regions of the state are all causes for the dejecting state of public health and health care in impoverished areas and among racial minorities, Nash and Ochoa said.
Ochoa also focused on health issues facing Latin Americans in the country.
Because the Latin American population is younger than other ethnic groups, it does not yet face the broad scope of age-related health issues such as diabetes and heart disease confronting others in high numbers. However, language and cultural differences between health care providers and patients have resulted and will continue to result in problems in treating the Latin American community and educating its members on wise health practices.
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