Dialog on Health Disparities
This past Saturday a dialog on health disparities was hosted by two student groups at the University of Minnesota: the University chapters of the Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children and the American Medical Student Association.
According to a story in today's Minnesota Daily, "The six-hour discussion highlighted inequality in the health care system at state and national levels." This is an especially appropriate topic for Minnesota and its medical professionals-in-training, because although Minnesota has among the best health statistics in the country, we also have some of the worst statistics for people of color. And according to the World Health Organization, the U.S. health system is only 37th in the world, although America spends at least 50 percent more per capita than any other country.
Participants from outside the U included some of the most prominent people in Minnesota health care, including Courage Center CEO and Minnesota Public Health Association President Jan Malcolm, Health Partners C.E.O Mary Brainerd, and Founder of United Family Practice Clinic Timothy Rumsey.
It's noteworthy that current and future medical students and other budding health care professionals are taking the lead about being informed about these issues and having the opportunity to discuss them with real-world professional leaders. We need more of this sort of education-focused public engagement.