Literature Review
All posts tagged with “General News | Diversity / Equity / Inclusion News.”
Who gets to access a “good death"?
10/24/24 at 02:00 AMWho gets to access a “good death"? Adelphi University, New York; by Zainab Toteh Osakew and Jennifer McIntosh; 10/23/24Socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods have fewer home hospice agencies, study shows. ... “We know that poorer neighborhoods have continued to lag behind in utilization of hospice care. For decades, scientists have attributed it to cultural values or preferences about care,” said Zainab Toteh Osakwe ’06, PhD, associate professor in the Adelphi University College of Nursing and Public Health and an expert in home healthcare. ... Dr. Osakwe partnered with a geospatial analyst at the University of North Dakota to uncover patterns in the locations of hospice offices. Drawing on information made publicly available by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, they culled data related to 3,447 hospice providers and 4,584 Medicare-certified hospices nationwide. Next, they geocoded hospice agency addresses to the social vulnerability index (SVI), a measure developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that geographically ranks at-risk communities. ... Dr. Osakwe and her team found that hospice agency offices were far more likely to be clustered in neighborhoods with greater socioeconomic advantage. Predominantly Black and Hispanic neighborhoods also contained significantly fewer hospice agency offices. While the results align with prior studies on hospice supply and community-level wealth, theirs is one of the first to investigate hospice agency availability by neighborhood.
Palliative care access for indigenous populations: Removing barriers and reducing disparities
10/23/24 at 03:00 AMPalliative care access for indigenous populations: Removing barriers and reducing disparities ECRI, Plymouth Meeting, PA; by Eileen Cornish; 10/22/24 ... Indigenous populations across North America face barriers to healthcare due to a combination of historical, social, economic, and systemic factors. Key barriers include historical trauma and distrust, remote or rural geography, economic disparities, cultural differences, systemic racism, and discrimination. ... For this topic, ECRI librarians identified 35 studies, including six systematic reviews, that discuss barriers to palliative care for Indigenous people across North America. ... Removing Barriers: Here are several key takeaways from the studies we identified. Other barriers are likely exist; however, these common themes emerged from the studies identified in ECRI’s review.
YoloCares: State awards nearly $3 million to YoloCares
10/22/24 at 02:00 AMYoloCares: State awards nearly $3 million to YoloCares The Enterprise; by Craig Dresang; 10/19/24 In a move to expand and deepen the regional safety net for people facing a serious or life-limiting illness, Davis-based YoloCares recently applied for, and secured, a nearly $3 million commitment from the State of California to add an Enhanced Care Management component to its portfolio of offerings. By design, ECM intends to address the social determinants of health which are the nonmedical factors that influence health outcomes. ... [As] Medi-Cal looks towards a major transformation in the structure of benefits, ECM is the Golden State’s initiative to address a lack of palliative and supportive care services. ... According to Lisa Adams, YoloCares’ director of patient access and palliative care, “Our clinical team is adept at responding to the complex and unique needs of our patients and their families, often going above and beyond the scope of typical palliative care to help our patients find comfort and dignity during health challenges and transitions. This funding and recognition from the state simply acknowledges and supports the work we have been doing all along.”
Caring for Hindu patients at the end-of-life: A narrative review
10/07/24 at 03:00 AMCaring for Hindu patients at the end-of-life: A narrative review Cambridge University Press; by Brinda Raval Raniga, MD, Savannah Kumar, MD, Rebecca McAteer Martin, MD, and Craig D. Blinderman, MD; 10/3/24 This paper reviews the existing literature to identify specific challenges that may arise in the context of providing palliative and end-of-life (EOL) care for Hindu patients in the physical, psychological, and spiritual domains. We offer practical strategies where appropriate to mitigate some of these challenges. We review how the Hindu faith impacts EOL decision-making, including the role of the family in decision-making, completion of advance directives, pain management, and decisions around artificial nutrition and hydration (ANH) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Hispanic Americans and Alzheimer's
09/27/24 at 03:00 AMHispanic Americans and Alzheimer'sAlzheimer's Association; Resources; ongoing webpage, retrieved from the internet 9/25/24 Approximately 13% of Hispanics who are 65 or older have Alzheimer's or another dementia. Learn what the Alzheimer's Association is doing to address health disparities and provide support for Hispanic community members living with Alzheimer's or another dementia. Quick Facts: ...
Clearing a path for diverse leadership
09/27/24 at 02:15 AMClearing a path for diverse leadership Becker's Hospital Review; by Mariah Taylor; 9/20/24 Creating a diverse nurse workforce and leadership team takes intentionality. "Diversity doesn't happen by itself. It takes effort, thought and planning," Jesus Cepero, PhD, RN, chief nursing officer, senior vice president patient care services at Palo Alto, Calif.-based Stanford Medicine Children's Health, told Becker's. Dr. Cepero first joined Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford four years ago and said part of what made him comfortable joining was seeing the diverse team of executives already at the hospital. "Since then, our diversity at the executive level has grown," he said. "This shift has transformed our culture, promoting a sense of safety and belonging, which is key to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce." Now, he oversees 3,500 employees and one of his priorities is to further diversity work at the system. Here are his three guidelines for building a more diverse workforce and leadership team:
63 Hispanic and Latino leaders to know | 2024
09/25/24 at 03:00 AM63 Hispanic and Latino leaders to know | 2024 Becker's Hospital Review; by Anna Falvey; 9/20/24 Becker's is thrilled to honor these Hispanic and Latino healthcare leaders. Diverse leadership in healthcare culminates in a more comprehensive, seamless experience for both patients and providers alike. The leaders honored in this list are transforming the patient journey, ushering in the new wave of healthcare providers and promoting DEI. ... Becker's Healthcare developed this list based on nominations and editorial research. Leaders do not pay and cannot pay for inclusion on this list. This list is not exhaustive, nor is it an endorsement of the leaders or organizations mentioned. Editor's note: Reminder that the National Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15 to October 15. Are you recognizing your Hispanic employees and volunteers? Click here for CMS resources.
Companies committed to DEI but may talk about it differently: survey
09/24/24 at 03:00 AMCompanies committed to DEI but may talk about it differently: surveyMcKnight's Senior Living; by Kathleen Steele Gaivin; 9/19/24Social impact is a growing corporate strategy, even if it isn’t talked about, according to the results of a survey by the Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals and YourCause from Blackbaud. “The 2024 results show how the current landscape of corporate social impact is both dynamic and demanding, reflecting a field that is a priority to key stakeholders, including employees, customers, investors and community,” according to ACCP, which surveyed 125 companies in April. Ninety-six percent of the companies reported a continued commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, initiatives... DEI has become a polarizing political issue this year, according to ACCP. That doesn’t mean that companies are backing away from their commitments, but they may be changing the way they talk about DEI.Publisher's note: The Louisiana ~ Mississippi Hospice & Palliative Care Organization, a Hospice & Palliative Care Today sponsor, has a Health Disparities and Inequities Taskforce that has completed, among several other things, a Standards of Excellence certification process around diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Using AI and social media to understand health disparities for transgender cancer care
09/21/24 at 03:40 AMUsing AI and social media to understand health disparities for transgender cancer careJAMA Network Open; Augustine Annan, PhD; Yeran Li, PhD; Jingcheng Du, PhD; Yezhou Sun, MS; A. I. Asante-Facey, MD; Xiaoyan Wang, PhD; Matthew Monberg, PhD; 8/24Transgender individuals experience lower health care use and higher health care discrimination rates. This qualitative study revealed 3 barriers in transgender cancer care: lack of awareness, access issues, and clinical challenges. The consistent reporting of clinical challenges indicates the need for tailored medical guidelines and gender-affirming support systems. Addressing these disparities requires enhanced clinician education, evidence-based guidelines, policy reforms, and inclusive health coverage. Despite potential biases and limitations in the representativeness of social media data, this study may offer valuable insights to guide future initiatives toward achieving equitable health care for transgender individuals.
Racial disparities in cancer stage at diagnosis and survival for adolescents and young adults
09/21/24 at 03:20 AMRacial disparities in cancer stage at diagnosis and survival for adolescents and young adultsJAMA Network Open; Kekoa Taparra, MD, PhD; Kaeo Kekumano, BS; Ryan Benavente, BS; Luke Roberto, BS; Megan Gimmen, BS; Ryan Shontell, PhD; Henrietta Cakobau; Neha Deo, MD; Connor J. Kinslow, MD; Allison Betof Warner, MD, PhD; Curtiland Deville, MD; Jaimie Z. Shing, PhD, MPH; Jacqueline B. Vo, PhD, MPH, RN; Manali I. Patel, MD, MPH; Erqi Pollom, MD, MS; 8/24This cohort study of AYA [adolescent and young adult] patients suggests that stage at diagnosis and survival varied across races for the 10 deadliest AYA cancers. ... the risk of late-stage diagnosis was significantly higher for Asian, Black, and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander patients compared with White patients. However, compared with White patients, the risk of death was significantly higher for American Indian or Alaska Native, Black, and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander patients but lower for Asian patients. These results support the need for tailored interventions and informed public policy to achieve cancer care equity for all races.
10 most, least diverse states in 2024
09/19/24 at 03:00 AM10 most, least diverse states in 2024 Becker's Hospital Review; by Erica Carbajal; 9/17/24 ... For the ranking, the financial services company compared all 50 states across six key dimensions: socio-economic diversity, cultural diversity, economic diversity, household diversity, religious diversity and political diversity. ... Here are the 10 most and least diverse states in 2024, per the ranking: Most diverse: [Starting with highest diversity] 1. California 2. Texas 3. Florida 4. New Mexico 5. Hawaii 6. Nevada 7. New Jersey 8. New York 9. Maryland 10. ArizonaLeast diverse: [Starts with lowest diversity] 1. West Virginia 2. Maine 3. New Hampshire 4. Vermont 5. Montana 6. Kentucky 7. Wyoming 8. Iowa 9. Utah 10. North Dakota
Rita and Alex Hillman Foundation announces $500,000 in funding for nine projects to improve serious illness and end of life care
09/11/24 at 03:00 AMRita and Alex Hillman Foundation announces $500,000 in funding for nine projects to improve serious illness and end of life care Globe Newswire; by Rita & Alex Hillman Foundation; 9/10/24 The Rita and Alex Hillman Foundation ... announced nine grants to support innovative, early-stage interventions that address the serious illness and end of life needs of marginalized populations. The $500,000 in funding, part of a collaborative effort with The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, will advance nursing-driven initiatives that improve care for diverse populations and expand access to high-quality end of life services. ... This year’s grants demonstrate a commitment to the design, development, and delivery of better and more equitable care. The 2024 HSEI grant recipients are:
Inclusive leadership: Fostering diversity and inclusion
09/09/24 at 02:10 AMInclusive leadership: Fostering diversity and inclusion Forbes; by Lynda Silsbee and the Forbes Coaches Council; 9/5/24 In today's work world, diversity and inclusion are more than just buzzwords—they are essential components of a successful and innovative organization. Inclusive leadership, which actively seeks to embrace diversity and create an environment where all individuals feel valued and empowered, is critical to fostering this philosophy. Leaders who prioritize inclusion can harness the full potential of their teams, driving creativity, engagement and productivity. ... A study by Bersin by Deloitte shows that inclusive and diverse companies have "2.3 times higher cash flow per employee" and smaller businesses enjoyed 13 times higher cash flow. In addition, these companies had greater readiness for change and innovation. Inclusive leadership goes beyond the representation of different demographics within an organization. It involves creating a culture where diverse perspectives are actively sought out, respected and integrated into decision-making processes. Such leadership fosters a sense of belonging, where everyone feels valued for their unique contributions.
ASCO palliative care expert panel provides recommendations to integrate health equity into guideline development
09/06/24 at 03:00 AMASCO palliative care expert panel provides recommendations to integrate health equity into guideline development OncLive, Cranbury, NJ; by Kyle Doherty; 9/4/24 The ASCO Palliative Care Expert Panel [American Society of Clinical Oncology], in collaboration with ASCO’s Health Equity and Outcomes Committee, has published recommendations for integrating health equity measures into future guideline updates. Recommendations advocated for partnerships with increased representation from historically marginalized groups and patient and community-based advocates; a reinforcement of implicit bias training for Expert Panel members as a component of guideline preparation; stratified recommendations and/or guidelines for additional groups; and the review and appraisal of future recommendations by the Expert Panel, patient as well as community advocates, and ASCO reviewers for the inclusion of proper health equity measures before publication.
The DEI Dilemma: Separate teams or embedded methods?
08/29/24 at 03:00 AMThe DEI Dilemma: Separate teams or embedded methods? Clinical Leader; by Denise N. Bronner, PhD; 8/28/24 In recent years, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has become a focal point in many industries, with the pharma sector being no exception. As political forces shift the societal climate to be increasingly DEI-averse, pharma sponsors face critical decisions regarding the implementation of DEI initiatives: Should DEI efforts be managed by a separate, dedicated DEI team or woven into the fabric of existing processes and departments? To answer that question, we must examine the advantages and drawbacks of both strategies, focusing on key factors like resource allocation, implementation efficiency, cultural integration, and the long-term impact on trial inclusivity. ... Integrating DEI into all aspects of a business is a complex task that requires careful planning and coordination. Without a clear strategy, efforts can become fragmented and ineffective.Editor's Note: While this DEI discussion is written to the pharma industry, its DEI structures, strategies and outcomes apply to hospice and palliative care services.
Healthcare leaders navigate pushback to health equity programs
08/29/24 at 02:00 AMHealthcare leaders navigate pushback to health equity programsModern Healthcare; by Mari Devereaux; 8/27/24Brewing opposition to health systems' programs on equitable care for patients of color could make health systems need to justify or reframe their efforts. A nonprofit conservative law firm earlier this month filed a federal civil rights complaint with the Health and Human Services Department against Cleveland Clinic, alleging its minority stroke program and minority men’s center discriminate against other patients. The center and program offer treatments, prevention services and specialist referrals tailored to meet the needs of Black and Latino patients... [Alternatively...] “There's a war on DEI and health equity right now, because people don't really understand what's happening in these programs,” said Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association. Health equity programs aren’t giving more care to one patient versus another based on race or ethnicity, Benjamin said. Instead, they are identifying high-risk patients with a likelihood for poor outcomes, who are often people of color, and putting together resources to help those individuals get the same care as others, he said.
Fraudulent hospices reportedly target homeless people, methadone patients to pad census
08/26/24 at 03:00 AMFraudulent hospices reportedly target homeless people, methadone patients to pad census Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 8/23/24 Fraudulent hospices in California reportedly have been targeting homeless people and methadone patients, promising them a steady supply of opioids in exchange for enrolling in hospice. Three hospice leaders came forward to Hospice News to report these practices. According to their reports, unscrupulous providers have canvassed both homeless encampments and methadone clinics seeking to sign up patients who are not terminally ill. In many cases, the sources said, these operators offer patients free access to board-and-care facilities and a daily supply of morphine. Another frequent practice among these hospices is to offer patients cash or other items in addition to drugs, they said. “This conduct raises serious fraud concerns on kickbacks or gifts to beneficiaries who do not appear to qualify for hospice,” Bill Dombi, president of the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC), told Hospice News. “More importantly, this conduct is predatory, taking advantage of individuals in addiction. Jail time is not enough punishment for the harm that such conduct creates.”Editor's Note: This is abhorrable. Click on the title's link to read more. While John Oliver's "Last Week Tonight" episode on 8/18/24 gained criticism from many hospice leaders, these fraudulent unethical behaviors (and others') lay the groundwork for such dire distrust from the public. These organizations' behaviors must be stopped. These organizations must be held accountable.
17 ways nonprofits can bolster their DEI efforts
08/22/24 at 02:00 AM17 ways nonprofits can bolster their DEI efforts Forbes; by Dr. Ara J. Baghdasarian; 8/20/24 Nonprofits that hope to make a meaningful, lasting and widespread impact must take an intentional approach to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Doing so can help organizations better support the communities they serve while allowing diverse viewpoints to be heard and implemented. To that end, 17 members of Forbes Nonprofit Council share their top strategies for nonprofits looking to transform their DEI efforts. From understanding your target audience to emphasizing accountability, these approaches can ensure your organization's programs are accessible, inclusive and culturally sensitive.
5 DEI expectations organizations should have of all leaders
08/21/24 at 03:15 AM5 DEI expectations organizations should have of all leaders Forbes; by Julie Kratz; 8/18/24 Without leadership support, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts do not work. ... For organizations wrestling with holding leaders accountable for DEI, consider these questions:
African American patient and caregiver attitudes and perceptions of community health workers as lay patient navigators in palliative care
08/17/24 at 03:30 AMAfrican American patient and caregiver attitudes and perceptions of community health workers as lay patient navigators in palliative care Annals of Palliative Medicine; by Olivia Monton, Shannon Fuller, Amn Siddiqi, Alison P Woods, Taleaa Masroor, Robert Joyner, Ronit Elk, Jill Owczarzak, Fabian M Johnston; 8/5/24 Underutilization of palliative care services, especially among African American patients with advanced cancer, remains an important public health problem. To address this gap, we developed a community health worker (CHW) palliative care intervention for African American patients with advanced cancer, which is being formally assessed through an ongoing effectiveness-implementation trial. ... Results: Overall, there was a lack of awareness and understanding of palliative care, due primarily to limited experiences with palliative care services among study participants. Despite this lack of familiarity, participants recognized the potential benefits of palliative care for patients with advanced cancer.
New play focuses on Advance Care Planning for LGBTQ+ families and caregivers
08/01/24 at 02:45 AMNew play focuses on Advance Care Planning for LGBTQ+ families and caregivers Hospice Foundation of America; by Lisa Veglahn; 7/29/24 Hospice Foundation of America (HFA) has added a new version of the short play “Lily” by award-winning playwright Bryan Harnetiaux to its AD (Advance Directives) Project, a collection of plays that dramatize the importance of advance directives. In the play, Jo visits her ex-wife, Lily, who is seriously ill. Jo is surprised that after years apart, Lily has asked to see her. She is even more surprised by Lily’s request that Jo serve as her surrogate decision maker when or if she cannot make healthcare decisions for herself. Hospice Foundation of America’s AD Project uses two-character, 10-minute plays featuring different relationships and settings. The plays are easy to produce and are intended for use by hospices, hospitals, and other community-based organizations wanting to engage audiences in discussions about advance care planning.The world premiere of the newest version of “Lily” was produced by Accord Hospice & Palliative Care in Sedona, AZ, in partnership with PFLAG Sedona, Unify Sedona, and the Sedona International Film Festival.Editor's Note: Click here for licensing information, to use this play in your community.
Cultivating humility, making connections in a contentious world
07/29/24 at 03:00 AMCultivating humility, making connections in a contentious world Tallahassee Democrat; by Rev. Candace McKibben; 7/27/24 The first time I remember hearing about “cultural humility” was some years ago when I served as a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Team at Big Bend Hospice. I recall reading an article by Silvia Austerlic, a Bereavement Manager and Hospice Latino community liaison, at Hospice of Santa Cruz County. She explained what is required to relate in the best interests of patients and families is not “cultural competence,” which is where our team had been focused, but “cultural humility.” “Cultural competence,” while it may be well-meaning, is a framework to help providers understand, appreciate, and work with individuals from diverse cultures. It is focused on gaining knowledge. “Cultural humility,” on the other hand, is focused on relationships. ... Yet another form of humility that seems critically important to me in our time is “religious humility.” This form of humility involves celebrating the inherent dignity of every individual, regardless of their religious affiliation.
Making DEI matter in post-acute care
07/25/24 at 03:00 AMMaking DEI matter in post-acute care HomeCare; by Jerry Farmer; 7/18/24 In today’s dynamic health care landscape, the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) cannot be overstated. DEI represents policies and procedures that promote the representation and participation of diverse groups of individuals who encompass all ages, races, ethnicities, abilities, disabilities, genders, religions, cultures and sexual orientations. ... Here are some of the key factors our company focused to reach diversity, equity and inclusion milestones:
A personal approach: Patient Care Coordination Inc. celebrates a decade of inclusive healthcare
07/18/24 at 03:00 AMA personal approach: Patient Care Coordination Inc. celebrates a decade of inclusive healthcare Classic 96.7 FM BWZ, Philadelphia, PA; 7/17/24Philadelphia-based Patient Care Coordination Inc. (PCC), led by Founder and Executive Director Paul S. Rimar, proudly commemorates its 10th anniversary. With a steadfast commitment to inclusivity, particularly within the LGBTQ community, PCC has grown to serve over 6,500 participants across 21 counties in Pennsylvania, delivering high-quality, value-based healthcare services. ... A cornerstone of PCC’s mission is its dedication to the LGBTQ community. Rimar’s personal experiences with LGBTQ-specific challenges have profoundly influenced PCC’s inclusive policies and practices. ... [Rimar's] comprehensive background, including roles in long-term care, hospice, managed care, and transplantation, has been instrumental in PCC’s evolution and success.
Cherokee nation: Closing gap in health care disparities
07/16/24 at 03:00 AMCherokee nation: Closing gap in health care disparities Native News Online; by Churck Hoskin, Jr.; 7/14/24 ... American Indians in Oklahoma die on average 17 years earlier than their non-Indigenous neighbors. While this finding is alarming, it comes as no surprise to the Cherokee Nation or to the nearly 40 other tribal nations in Oklahoma. ... Even as we continue our advocacy efforts, we cannot afford to wait for the federal government to fulfill its responsibilities. That's why the Cherokee Nation, which operates the largest Native American health care system in the country, is taking unprecedented steps to address this crisis head-on. ... [We] are confident our historic investments in health care and wellness are improving health outcomes for our Cherokee citizens. Construction continues on the Cherokee Nation’s new $400 million, 400,000-square-foot state-of-the-art hospital being built in the capital city of Tahlequah. The new hospital will include an ER, surgery, ICU, imaging, pharmacy and lab, neo-natal ICU, hospice, dietary and acute care, and many other services.