Hiding in Plain Sight: What's Missing in Health Equity | Keri Norris | TEDxEmory | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Dr. Kerry Norris discusses the importance of addressing health disparities, the impact of chronic stressors, and proposes the MR Model as a solution for achieving health equity.

Key Insights

• 💀 African Americans are twice as likely to die from diabetes compared to white Americans in the United States.
• 💔 African American women are 40 percent more likely to die from breast cancer compared to white women, despite being diagnosed at the same rates.
• 🌡️ Hispanic women in the United States are 60 percent more likely to be diagnosed with advanced stage cervical cancer compared to white women.
• 🏥 Health disparities affect everyone in some way, regardless of whether they belong to any particular ethnic group.
• ⚕️ Dr. Kerry Norris, chief of health policy and administration, has worked on addressing health disparities for over 17 years.
• 👥 Access to healthcare goes beyond just insurance or transportation, it involves a combination of factors that need to work together.
• 💰 Competing interests, such as financial struggles and family responsibilities, can impact decisions related to healthcare and medication adherence.
• 📊 African Americans have higher rates of diagnosis and are more likely to die at earlier ages from conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke in the United States.
• 🌍 The key to addressing health disparities and achieving health equity lies in considering factors such as chronic stress, trauma, early intervention, mental health support, socioeconomic status, transportation, housing, and access to resources.

Transcript

compared to white americans in the united states there are twice as likely number of african americans who will die from diabetes also if you look at rates of diagnosis of breast cancer you'll find that african-american women although diagnosed at the same rates as white women in the u.s they are 40 percent more likely to die when we look at rates ... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How do health disparities affect minority populations?

Health disparities have a significant impact on minority populations, as they are more likely to experience higher mortality rates and have limited access to healthcare, leading to poorer health outcomes compared to their white counterparts.

Q: What role do chronic stressors play in the development of diseases?

Chronic stressors, experienced from prenatal development, have profound effects on the body, leading to early disease development, mental health issues, and ultimately, early death. The impact of chronic stress can be lifelong and even pass down to future generations.

Q: Why is equality not effective in addressing health disparities?

Equality, which strives to provide everyone with the same resources and opportunities, fails to address the specific needs and challenges faced by different individuals and communities. Health disparities require a more tailored approach that considers mental health, early intervention, and socioeconomic factors.

Q: What is the MR Model, and how does it address health disparities?

The MR Model, named after Dr. Norris's son, focuses on mental health, early intervention, and addressing socioeconomic factors. It emphasizes teaching coping skills, integrating mental health into physical care, providing workforce development programs, improving access to transportation, and ensuring access to housing for better health outcomes.

Q: What is the impact of chronic stress and trauma on children's mental health?

Children exposed to chronic stress and trauma are at a higher risk of developing mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. These conditions can have physical manifestations, leading to long-term health problems such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

Q: How can early intervention in mental health make a difference?

Early intervention in mental health can equip children with coping skills and support systems to manage stress and trauma. By addressing mental health needs before they escalate, individuals can have better overall health and reduced risk of developing chronic diseases later in life.

Q: How does socioeconomic status contribute to health disparities?

Socioeconomic status plays a crucial role in health disparities as it affects access to resources like education, job opportunities, healthcare, and housing. Without addressing socioeconomic factors, achieving health equity becomes challenging.

Q: How can the MR Model be implemented in healthcare systems?

The MR Model can be implemented by incorporating mental health screenings and support into routine healthcare visits, creating workforce development programs in disadvantaged communities, improving transportation options, and ensuring access to affordable housing. This comprehensive approach addresses the underlying factors that contribute to health disparities.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Health disparities disproportionately affect minority populations, with higher mortality rates and lower access to healthcare.

• Chronic stressors, starting from prenatal development, play a significant role in the development of diseases and early death.

• The traditional approaches of equality and access are inadequate in addressing health disparities, and a new approach, the MR Model, which focuses on mental health, early intervention, and addressing socioeconomic factors, is proposed.