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Proactively addressing healthcare disparities in your local community 

Independent pharmacists are trusted and accessible resources who have long-standing connections with the communities they serve. Because of this, they are uniquely positioned to create opportunities for quality care, reduce disparities and increase prescription adherence by building inclusive relationships with culturally diverse patients.

AmerisourceBergen is proud to partner with you and we are committed to providing you with information, resources and tools to address the unmet patient needs in your communities. 

Understanding healthcare disparities

Healthcare disparities recognize the health differences that some groups may face because of social and economic inequities. 

Social and economic inequities could include race, gender, religion, age and the unequal allocation of resources like food, healthcare, and more. These disparities are not new, but COVID-19 cases and vaccination rates have magnified the presence of these inequities. 

Access to and the use of quality healthcare remains a challenge in communities. Read more about a healthcare disparity related to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. 

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Resources for pharmacists 

Drug Topics podcast: Reducing health disparities

Hear an insightful discussion on the factors that contribute to disparities, steps pharmacists can take to address this issue, and the importance of increasing diverse representation within the pharmacy profession.

Health equity: Making personalized care accessible to minority groups

Learn what you can do to connect with and support underserved patients in your pharmacy's community.

The Office of Minority Health (HHS)

The Office of Minority Health is dedicated to improving the health of racial and ethnic minority populations through the development of health policies and programs that will help eliminate health disparities.

Office of Minority Health (HHS): Population Profiles

These profiles provide detailed demographic, language fluency (where relevant), education, economic, insurance coverage, and health status information, as well as full census reports.

Office of Minority Health (HHS): Knowledge Center

The Knowledge Center Library contains a collection of more than 60,000 documents, books, journal articles, and media related to the health status of racial and ethnic minority populations. The library collection also includes sources of consumer health material in more than 40 languages.

The National Pharmaceutical Association (NPhA)

NPhA is a national, professional organization of pharmacists committed to serving the underserved and promoting minorities in pharmacy.

Anti-Racism Resources (NPhA Resource)

NPhA has created a list of resources to assist pharmacists and other healthcare professionals to learn, develop, and grow in the area of racism.

The Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA)

SNPhA is an educational service association of pharmacy students who are concerned about the profession of pharmacy, healthcare issues, and the poor minority representation in these areas. 

Health Equity Considerations and Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups (CDC resource)

Long-standing systemic health and social inequities have put many people from racial and ethnic minority groups at increased risk of getting sick and dying from COVID-19.

Health Equity: Promoting Fair Access to Health (CDC resource)

Health equity is when everyone has the opportunity to be as healthy as possible. Long-standing systemic health and social inequities have put many racial and ethnic minority groups at increased risk of getting sick and dying from COVID-19.

Health Equity: What We Can Do (CDC resource)

Community- and faith-based organizations, employers, healthcare systems and providers, public health agencies, policy makers, and others all have a part in helping to promote fair access to health.

Social Determinants of Health: Know What Affects Health (CDC resources)

Social determinants of health (SDOH) are conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, and play that affect a wide range of health risks and outcomes.

CDC COVID-19 data tracker by demographic

Demographic Trends of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the US reported to CDC.
 

Resources for patients

Healthcare.gov

Health insurance exchange website operated under the United States federal government under the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

HealthReach

An online resource from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), find multilingual, multicultural health information and patient education materials about health conditions and wellness topics.

Medicare.gov

A federal government website managed and paid for by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

MedlinePlus

An online health information resource for patients and their families and friends. MedlinePlus is a service of the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the world's largest medical library, which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Science-Based Health & Wellness Resources for Your Community (NIH resource)

The National Institute of Health's (NIH) ultimate goal is to improve the nation's health through medical research. Check out these resources — based on our scientific findings — that can help you or a loved one on your path to improved health and well-being.