In recognition of National Public Health Week (April 5 – 9), the Nassau County Department of Health is partnering with the American Public Health Association to highlight the importance of health care disparities in Nassau County.

“Health and health care disparities are among the most important public health challenges facing us today,” said Dr. David M. Ackman, Nassau County Health Commissioner. “While the health of the nation as a whole has improved in recent decades, the effects of race, ethnicity and wealth continue to impact on a community’s health status

“The overall health of Nassau County’s population is good, but this obscures the significant problems faced by residents of less affluent, at-risk communities,” Commissioner Ackman continued. “For example, in Nassau County, by almost any measure of population health, be it infant mortality or AIDS cases or tooth decay or mortality from breast cancer, the health status of the minority population is worse than the majority. Even in areas where we’ve seen tremendous improvements, such as teen pregnancy, large gaps exist.”

Dr. Scott V. Rankin, Deputy Commissioner of Health and Co-chair of Nassau County’s Minority Health Task Force said: “Eliminating health care disparities and improving the quality of care for minorities will require collaboration among government officials, health care providers and the community. Involving the community in the planning, implementation and evaluation of any proposed solutions cannot be overemphasized.”

Dr. Rankin continues: “One of the biggest challenges, that our healthcare system faces is caring for patients from diverse cultures with different health beliefs, values, preferences and behaviors that influence how they interact with health care providers and the health care system as a whole. Achieving cultural competence means understanding the importance of cultural influences and devising solutions that take these issues into account.”

Dr. Ackman further states: “ While we certainly have many challenges, the Nassau County Department of Health has made major efforts to address health disparity through a variety of programs including:

"I believe these programs, along with important initiatives undertaken by community based and health care organizations, will make a difference locally. It is opportune that the American Public Health Association has taken this week to focus on health disparities which is one of the most important priorities of Tom Suozzi's administration."