Introduction | 5
Introduction In 2007, Adventist HealthCare created the Center on Health Disparities (CHD) to address and eliminate health disparities and inequalities in the communities served by the health system, with particular emphasis on Montgomery, Prince George’s, and Frederick Counties in Maryland. Health disparities are differences “in which disadvantaged social groups—such as the poor, racial/ethnic minorities, women, or other groups who have persistently experienced social disadvantage or discrimination—systematically experience worse health or greater health risks than more advantaged social groups.”1 For more than 20 years, the Health and Wellness Department has worked with Adventist HealthCare health programs, such as cardiovascular, diabetes, cancer, and maternal and child health, to raise awareness of health issues, to screen for various conditions, and to offer educational and support programs to community members. The new Center for Health Equity and Wellness brings these two departments together to ensure that the communities served by Adventist HealthCare thrive in a culture of wellness and enjoy access to and the benefits of high-quality, equitable health care. OUR MISSION The Center for Health Equity and Wellness ensures the delivery of population-based care and promotion of healthcare equity in the communities served by Adventist HealthCare. We accomplish our mission by partnering with community members and organizations to implement health equity and community wellness approaches that improve population health. The work being performed at the Center contributes to the overall mission of Adventist HealthCare, which is to demonstrate God’s care by improving the health of people and communities through a ministry of physical, mental and spiritual healing. The Center works with different Adventist HealthCare entities to understand the diverse patient populations they serve; monitor differences by race, ethnicity, or preferred language in quality of care; and address disparities in order to provide high-quality and equitable care for all patients. For the second consecutive year, Adventist HealthCare is publishing a Health Equity Report to demonstrate how hospital patient data, including data related to core quality measures, readmissions, and patient experience, can be analyzed through a health equity framework to identify and address possible disparities in health care. In 2012, we explored the data collected at Adventist HealthCare hospitals and how they could be used to inform strategies to address community needs. This report will take an additional step forward to highlight the strategies and initiatives that are planned or already in place to move toward a healthier future for all. The continuing evolution and dissemination of this report demonstrates Adventist HealthCare’s commitment to transparency and accountability for performance excellence.