Why is B2B Relevant?

Why is B2B Relevant?

Addressing health disparities is a well articulated National priority.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has committed over $30 billion to establish an infrastructure of Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Exchange (HIEs) and analytics for better monitoring and control of chronic diseases. 

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) “National Broadband” strategy encourages the funding of pilot e-Health Care initiatives (delivered to Congress March 17, 2010). The HITECH Act is also funding a number of community wellness initiatives, including the flagship “Beacon Communities” program, and health information technology research, workforce development and training programs.

In April, 2011, HHS presented the “National Partnership for Action to End Health Disparities” (NPA) plan.  Goal #1 of the National Strategy is “Awareness”.  The “Awareness” goal encourages “Partnerships” with “Media” to enhance “Communication”.  

GOAL DESCRIPTION

STRATEGIES

AWARENESS - Increase awareness of the significance of health disparities, their impact on the nation, and the actions necessary to improve health outcomes for racial, ethnic, and underserved populations

1. Healthcare Agenda - Ensure that ending health disparities is a priority on the local, state, tribal, regional, and federal healthcare agendas.
2. Partnerships - Develop and support partnerships among public, non profit, and private entities to provide a comprehensive infrastructure to increase awareness, drive action, and ensure accountability in efforts to end health disparities and achieve health equity across the lifespan.
3. Media - Leverage local, regional and national media outlets using traditional and new media approaches as well as information technology to reach a multi-tier audience-including racial and ethnic minority communities, youth, young adults, older adults, persons with disabilities, LGBT groups, and geographically isolated individuals-to encourage action and accountability.
4. Communications – Create messages and use communications mechanism tailored for specific audiences across the lifespan, and present varied views of the consequences of health disparities that will encourage individuals and organizations to act and to reinvest in public health.  

NOTE: Supporting data for health disparities is available by racial and ethnic minority communities, youth, young adults, older adults, persons with disabilities, LGBT groups, and geographically isolated individuals.