Comment on OMH's National Plan for Action

February 15, 2010 Garth Graham. M.D., M.P.H. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health United States Department of Health and Human Services The Office of Minority Health Re: Comment on Changing Outcomes – Achieving Health Equity, The National Plan for Action Dear Deputy Assistant Secretary Graham: The Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) and the undersigned organizations thank the Office of Minority Health (OMH) for its efforts to address the health of minority populations in the United States. In particular, we commend OMH’s over two-year effort to bring about Changing Outcomes – Achieving Health Equity, The National Plan for Action (NPA). The NPA lays out a strong, systemic approach to combating health disparities in this nation through its five key objectives (to improve awareness, leadership, health and health system experience, cultural and linguistic competency, and research and evaluation) and 20 strategies for achieving those objectives. In particular, the NPA’s focus on workforce diversity, cultural and linguistic competency within the health care system, data collection, and community-based participatory research will benefit the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) communities significantly. These communities suffer disproportionately high rates of cervical cancer, stomach cancer, hepatitis B, mental health issues, and many other serious health impairments. Additionally, high ...