Maryland Chartbook of Minority Health And Minority Health Disparities Data With Sections on Gender-specific Health And Jurisdiction-specific Health

The Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities (MHHD) was established in the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in 2004 by legislation passed in the Maryland General Assembly session of that same year. One of the charges to MHHD is the compilation and distribution of minority health and health disparities data. This Chartbook is one response to that charge. Adequate and accurate data are essential to any effort to identify and address health problems in general, and health disparities in particular. With regard to health disparities, whether defined by ethnicity/race or other factors (geography, gender, income, education, etc.), data are required to complete three essential tasks: 1. Identify and measure disparities 2. Determine the causes of the disparity and plan interventions 3. Track progress toward eliminating health disparities The compilation of Maryland health disparities data in this Chartbook is intended to enable each of these three critical functions.https://health.maryland.gov/hd/mdchartbook.ht

Maryland Plan to Eliminate Minority Health Disparities: A Healthier Future for All Marylanders 2006-2010

The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is pleased to present this first Maryland Plan to Eliminate Minority Health Disparities. Maryland is the sixth most diverse state in the nation and is approaching an ethnic majority. Our minority populations carry a disproportionately heavy burden of illness, disease and untimely death, much of which is preventable. The Maryland Health and Health Disparities Initiative, begun in 2004, uses the attached Plan to heighten awareness and increase focus on measures to reduce health disparities among ethnic/racial and other vulnerable groups in the state. The department has gathered over 1,000 comments and recommendations from stakeholders throughout Maryland, including remote and distant corners of the state. These individuals have commented on how health disparities are impacting their lives and have suggested a variety of steps to bring quality care to their families and communities. This first Plan covers health professional education, health disparities data, resources for reducing disparities, and access to quality healthcare, but is not exhaustive in its present form. While it sets the stage for the documentation of health disparities and points to best practices, it is a work in progress. We pledge continued efforts to improve and broaden its scope, making it a framework for action that will serve our entire health delivery system. We ask that you use this Plan to chart a course in Maryland, where health services are designed to ensure that quality services are delivered to every person in every jurisdiction