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Showing results for tags 'Health inequalities'.
Found 1,198 results
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News Article
Online GP access leaves patients lost, says report
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Online services for GPs across Surrey leave many patients feeling "helpless and lost", a new report says. Healthwatch Surrey said some patients felt "defeated" by online systems and that issues were worse in certain groups. This included people with English as a second language and those less confident with technology. Online services include booking appointments, requesting repeat prescriptions and viewing test results. Healthwatch Surrey, which gathers the views of local people on health and social care services in the county, said: "Confusion around the appointment booking process and a perception that appointments are hard, or even impossible, to book online is the issue people tell us most about." One Epsom and Ewell resident was asked by their surgery to book a blood test online. They told Healthwatch: "I tried but I couldn't understand how to do it and so I called back. "I'm in my 80s and I try to be as independent as I can, but some of these processes defeat me." Sam Botsford, contract manager at Healthwatch Surrey, said communication was key in ensuring patients knew how to use online services. She said: "People feel they're being pushed online, and that spans a range of different demographics. "It's really important for practices to identify the needs of their patients and how they can best meet those." Read full story Source: BBC News, 2 February 2024 -
Content ArticleMedicine shortages in the UK have been a regular feature on newspaper front pages in recent years. As a doctor on the frontline, Ammad Butt sees how this instability in our medicine supply chain is playing out on the ground. Ammad works in a large city hospital and is used to meeting disgruntled patients who have had to wait hours in clinic to receive treatment. But just imagine their concern when he has to explain to them that the medication they usually took to treat them with is not available, and that they will have to take an alternative instead or stay in hospital for even longer as a result. In the past year, Ammad has routinely seen patients having to go without medication for common conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), diabetes and even acne that would otherwise be easily managed, or being forced to take alternatives that are less appropriate. And new EU plans for its members to work together to stockpile key medicines will only worsen shortages in the UK. Patients tell Ammad they feel others are receiving better treatment than they are. And they are right, in some ways. Healthcare professionals are being put in a difficult situation having to explain why they are making compromises in their care. It all adds to the sense among patients and healthcare professionals alike that the health service is not working for the most vulnerable. Have you (or a loved one) ever been prescribed medication that you were then unable to get hold of at the pharmacy? Have you (or a loved one) ever been prescribed medication that you were then unable to get hold of at the pharmacy or in hospital? To help us understand how these issues impact the lives of patients and families, please share your experience and insights in our hub community thread on the topic here or drop a comment below. You'll need to register with the hub first, its free and easy to do.
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Content ArticleThe first UK geriatric oncology service at a tertiary cancer centre was established at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London. Its purpose is to conduct comprehensive geriatric assessments of patients with cancer on order to make referrals to multidisciplinary care. This descriptive study aimed to track its progress. It found that the service made a median of three referrals for each patient, most commonly to physiotherapy and occupational therapy. The frequency of referrals indicates that there is a high level of unmet need in older patients with cancer.
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Content ArticleThis statement from NHS England outlines how NHS organisations should collect and present data on health inequalities and explains the powers available to them to collect such data. Integrated care boards, trusts and foundation trusts should use the statement to identify key information on health inequalities and set out how they have responded to it in annual reports. The statement has been produced according to NHS England's duty under section 13SA of the National Health Service Act 2006.
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News ArticleTo help patients with high-risk pregnancies receive care at hospitals that are staffed and equipped to deliver care appropriate to their needs, the Department of Public Health will require licensed birthing hospitals to use a system called Levels of Maternal Care. The system classifies hospitals based on their capacity to meet the needs of patients with a range of potential complications during childbirth. The impetus is the rising levels of severe maternal morbidity, large racial disparities in outcomes, and concerns that higher-risk patients who deliver in hospitals that over-estimate the level of care they are able to provide are more likely to experience complications. Levels of care describe a hospital’s physical facilities, capabilities and staffing, indicating its ability to serve people giving birth across a range of medical needs. For example, Level 1 is appropriate for low-risk patients with uncomplicated pregnancies, including twins and labor after cesarean delivery. To that group, Level II adds patients with poorly controlled asthma or hypertension and other higher-risk conditions. Subsequent levels include patients at increasingly high risk of complications, up to Level IV, which is appropriate for patients with severe cardiac disease, those who need organ transplant and others. Established by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine in 2015, the classification system is one tool used by states across the country to improve maternal health and birthing outcomes. Read full story Source: Betsy Lehman Center. 17 January 2024
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Content ArticleIn this article, Claire Brader summarises the recent findings on the performance of NHS maternity services in England, as well as recent government and NHS policies aimed at improving the quality of maternity care.
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EventLearn from experts about Project PIVOT, a patient safety initiative led by Patients for Patient Safety (PFPS) US. According to a World Health Organization report, despite decades of patient safety improvement initiatives, approximately 134 million adverse safety events are still occurring each year. A recent report from the Office of the Inspector General revealed that 1 in in 4 Medicare patients experience avoidable adverse events - disproportionately impacting those communities who experience marginalization. A key emerging strategy to improve patient safety and equity is to incorporate patient-reported experiences and outcomes (PREs and PROs) into improvement efforts as illustrated by recent calls to action from the President’s Council of Advisors on Safety and Technology (PCAST), the WHO’s Global Patient Safety Action Plan, and in CMS’s proposed Patient Safety Structural Measure. Learn from Sue Sheridan, Martin Hatlie, and Suz Schrandt about Project PIVOT and other initiatives that are taking action to promote the implementation of patient-centered PROs and PREs to drive safer more equitable care. Register
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Content ArticleRacial and ethnic disparities in health are substantial and persistent in the USA. They occur from the earliest years of life, are perpetuated by societal structures and systems, and profoundly affect children’s health throughout their lives. This series of articles in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health summarises evidence on racial and ethnic inequities in the quality of paediatric care, outlines priorities for future research to better understand and address these inequities and discusses policy solutions to advance child health equity in the USA. Racial and ethnic inequities in the quality of paediatric care in the USA: a review of quantitative evidence Policy solutions to eliminate racial and ethnic child health disparities in the USA
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News Article
Stark UK divide in health and wealth with sickness ‘clearly linked to poverty’
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
People living in the most deprived parts of the country are more than twice as likely to be in poor health as those living in the most affluent, a new report has revealed. People in Liverpool are almost three times more likely to be in poor health than those in Oxfordshire, and twice as likely to be economically inactive, research by the cross-party IPPR Commission on Health and Prosperity found. The researchers found a “stark divide” in health and wealth throughout the UK was leaving many “bad health blackspots”, with people more likely to be out of work. Overall, people living in the most deprived parts of the country are more than twice as likely to be in poor health as those living in the most affluent – and are around 40% more likely to report economic inactivity. Read full story Source: The Independent, 18 January 2024 -
Content Article
As part of the Lancet's Child and Adolescent Health Spotlight, the journal called for young people around the world aged 18–25 years to lend their perspectives and lived experiences on the two key spotlight asks: That children must be immediately prioritised in health and social policies; children and young people deserve attention in their own right, and not only because they are an indispensable foundation for a sustainable future. That governments and health providers should prioritise health equity for children and young people, within and between countries. The Lancet received 104 submissions in Chinese, English, Portuguese and Spanish, many of which have been published as essays in Lancet publications. This article in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health summarises the key themes that were raised in the submissions received, including: the need for honest conversations with trusted adults about less talked-about areas including sex and death. the mental health impacts of attacks on transgender young people. the issues associated with living with a chronic illness as a young person. the importance of non-tokenistic youth engagement in research. -
News ArticleFewer Americans are dying of cancer, part of a decades-long trend that began in the 1990s as more people quit smoking and doctors screened earlier for certain cancers. However, the American Cancer Society warned that those gains are threatened by an increase in cancers among people younger than 55, in particular cervical and colorectal cancer, and by the continued disparities between white Americans and people of colour. “The continuous sharp increase in colorectal cancer in younger Americans is alarming,” said Dr Ahmedin Jemal, senior vice-president for surveillance and health equity science at the American Cancer Society. “We need to halt and reverse this trend by increasing uptake of screening, including awareness of non-invasive stool tests with follow-up care, in people 45-49 years, [old]” said Jemal. Read full story Source: The Guardian, 17 January 2024
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Content ArticleHealth care algorithms are used for diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, risk stratification and allocation of resources. However, bias in the development and use of algorithms can lead to worse outcomes for racial and ethnic minoritised groups and other historically marginalised populations such as individuals with lower incomes. This study aimed to provide a conceptual framework and guiding principles for mitigating and preventing bias in health care algorithms, in order to promote health and health care equity. The authors suggested five guiding principles: Promote health and health care equity during all phases of the health care algorithm life cycle Ensure health care algorithms and their use are transparent and explainable Authentically engage patients and communities during all phases of the health care algorithm life cycle and earn trustworthiness Explicitly identify health care algorithmic fairness issues and trade-offs Establish accountability for equity and fairness in outcomes from health care algorithms.
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Content ArticleThis systematic review conducted for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) aimed to examine the evidence on whether and how healthcare algorithms exacerbate, perpetuate or reduce racial and ethnic disparities in access to healthcare, quality of care and health outcomes. It also examined strategies that mitigate racial and ethnic bias in the development and use of algorithms. The results showed that algorithms potentially perpetuate, exacerbate and sometimes reduce racial and ethnic disparities. Disparities were reduced when race and ethnicity were incorporated into an algorithm to intentionally tackle known racial and ethnic disparities in resource allocation (for example, kidney transplant allocation) or disparities in care (for example, prostate cancer screening that historically led to Black men receiving more low-yield biopsies).
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Content ArticleThis leaflet aims to help people with type 1 diabetes decide between the different technologies available to manage diabetes. It contains summaries of devices available and infographics outlining eligibility criteria for continuous glucose monitors (CGM), insulin pumps and hybrid-closed loop systems. Diabetes care is one of the five clinical areas of focus for integrated care boards and partnerships to achieve system change and improve care as part of Core20Plus5 for children and young people with the aim to increase access to real-time continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps across the most deprived quintiles and from ethnic minority backgrounds.
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EventuntilLondon inspire Programme (LiP) is a ground-breaking programme which was specifically developed to raise awareness and promote targeted health interventions aimed at reducing disparities faced by Black people in London. This involves working closely with Black Caribbean & African leaders and health professionals, to explore an asset-based approach to mobilising the community and improve health outcomes. This event will be an opportunity to bring together key stakeholders to explore community-based approaches and how health systems could collaborate to create sustained health improvement. The event will celebrate what is working well, share learning, and create opportunities for reflection resulting in a call to action and inclusive leadership to improving the health of Black Londoners. The Summit will feature speakers renowned for their contributions to health equity and advocates with expertise in addressing health disparities within Black communities. A special focus will be given to voices from the Black Caribbean and African community, healthcare professionals, community leaders, researchers, and lived experiences. This diversity of perspectives aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities to reducing health inequalities at system and community levels. Confirmed keynote speakers include: Prof Bola Owolabi Prof Kevin Fenton CBE Dr Marie Gabriel Dr Habib Naqvi OBE Register for the event
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News Article
UK has some of worst cancer survival rates in developed world
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
The UK has some of the worst cancer survival rates in the developed world, according to new research. Analysis of international data by the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce found that five-year survival rates for lung, liver, brain, oesophageal, pancreatic and stomach cancers in the UK are worse than in most comparable countries. On average, just 16% of UK patients live for five years with these cancers. Out of 33 countries of comparable wealth and income levels, the UK ranks as low as 28th for five-year survival of both stomach and lung cancer, 26th for pancreatic cancer, 25th for brain cancer and 21st and 16th for liver and oesophageal cancers respectively. The six cancers account for nearly half of all common cancer deaths in the UK and more than 90,000 people are diagnosed with one of them in Britain every year. The taskforce calculated that if people with these cancers in the UK had the same prognosis as patients living in countries with the highest five-year survival rates – Korea, Belgium, the US, Australia and China – then more than 8,000 lives could be saved a year. Anna Jewell, the chair of the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce, said: “People diagnosed with a less survivable cancer are already fighting against the odds for survival. If we could bring the survivability of these cancers on level with the best-performing countries in the world then we could give valuable years to thousands of patients. “If we’re going to see positive and meaningful change then all of the UK governments must commit to proactively investing in research and putting processes in place so we can speed up diagnosis and improve treatment options.” Read full story Source: The Guardian, 11 January 2023 -
Content Article
MBRRACE-UK: Maternal mortality 2020-2022
Patient Safety Learning posted an article in Maternity
MBRRACE have released their latest UK maternal mortality figures. The maternal death rate in 2020-22 was 13.41 per 100,000 maternities. This is significantly 53% higher than the rate of 8.79 deaths per 100,000 maternities in the previous three year period (2017-19). -
EventuntilThis online conference hosted by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) is free of charge to RCGP members and £200 for non-members. This is the first in a 2-part series of one-day conferences addressing clinical issues arising from health inequalities and demonstrating how GPs can positively influence health inequalities as practitioners and community leaders. Health inequalities are differences in health across the population and between different groups in society that are systematic, unfair and avoidable. General Practice, with its unrivalled access to the heart of communities, has a key role in addressing both causes and consequences of health inequalities in the UK. General Practice is a diverse profession caring for multiple patient populations and the aim of the conference is to move from conversations to actions, improving patient care in these communities. This programme was put together by RCGP Officers, Faculty Education Leads and expert speakers, who are participating throughout the day and will include examples of best practice, relevant guidance and links to useful resources. Learning objectives: Understand the evidence linking ethnicity, protected characteristics, and health outcomes Acknowledge minority patients' perspectives of health and illness Promote the best clinical management within primary care Promote partnerships working with relevant organisations and community assets to improve patient care Areas to be covered: Incorporating health inequalities into training portfolios Migrant health and asylum seekers in hotels Black women with period issues or fertility concerns Health in gypsy and traveller communities Language discrimination Ramadan clinical management Trans health Social prescribing as a tool for tackling health inequalities Mental health Improving the health and well-being for communities in deprived areas Keynote speaker: Dr Margaret Ikpoh, RCGP Vice Chair Professional Development Register for the conference
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EventuntilThis online conference hosted by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) is free of charge to RCGP members and £200 for non-members. Health inequalities are differences in health across the population and between different groups in society that are systematic, unfair and avoidable. General Practice, with its unrivalled access to the heart of communities, has a key role in addressing both causes and consequences of health inequalities in the UK. General Practice is a diverse profession caring for multiple patient populations and the aim of this conference is to move from conversations to actions, improving patient care in these communities. The programme was put together by RCGP Officers, Faculty Education Leads and expert speakers, who are participating throughout the day and will include examples of best practice, relevant guidance and links to useful resources. Learning objectives: Understand the evidence linking ethnicity, protected characteristics, and health outcomes Acknowledge minority patients' perspectives of health and illness Promote the best clinical management within primary care Promote partnerships working with relevant organisations and community assets to improve patient care Areas to be covered: Health inequalities in learning disabilities Health inequalities in South Asian women in the UK Exploring and remediating unconscious bias Tackling health inequalities in African and Caribbean communities Barriers to accessing health services for migrant and ethnic minorities patients Panel discussion: improving screening uptake in minority ethnic groups End of life care and bereavement Pain management in populations with high levels of health inequality Ethnicity and disease Issues affecting the LGBTQIA+ community Keynote Speaker: Professor Kamila Hawthorne MBE, Chair of Council, RCGP Register for the conference
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Content ArticleThis study published in BMJ Quality & Safety identified factors acting as barriers or enablers to the process of healthcare consent for people with intellectual disability and to understand how to make this process equitable and accessible. The study found that multiple reasons contribute to poor consent practices for people with intellectual disability in current health systems. Recommendations include addressing health professionals’ attitudes and lack of education in informed consent with clinician training, the co-production of accessible information resources and further inclusive research into informed consent for people with intellectual disability. Related reading on the hub: Accessible patient information: a key element of informed consent
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EventuntilThis breakfast with Professor Bola Owolabi will look at taking a practical, whole system approach to action on health inequalities. Helping system leaders to understand their role in addressing health inequalities. Differentiating between health inequalities, often determined by long-term social and economic issues – and healthcare inequalities in relation to access and outcomes from NHS services. Practicalities for ICSs in enabling core20PLUS5 vision and having tangible impact on health inequalities. The role of business in addressing health inequalities and broader corporate responsibility. Creating actionable insights from the vast pool of health data available. If you are interested in attending, contact lee.davies@publicpolicyprojects.com
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Content ArticleThis report by the Institute of Health Equity (IHE) highlights that a million people in 90% of areas in England lived shorter lives than they should have between 2011 and the start of the pandemic. Using several published ONS data sources, calculations were made from the number of excess deaths in the decade from 2011 in England. The report's findings add to evidence about the cumulative impact of regressive funding cuts associated with austerity on the population's health. As a result of austerity, life expectancy failed to increase, and actually fell for women in the 10% of poorest areas, and health inequalities widened.
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Content ArticleIn this article for The Lancet, Professor Gagandeep Kang from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation examines what the story of rotavirus vaccine development in India can tell us about the opportunities, the necessary enabling environment and the challenges of creating products to improve global health. He highlights that although multiple successful vaccines were developed during the Covid-19 pandemic—in quantities that were inconceivable at the start of the pandemic—vaccine nationalism trumped the efforts of WHO, which established a prioritisation framework for vaccination of clinically vulnerable populations. The COVAX scheme was not successful in its aim to ensure that vaccines could be financed and distributed equitably around the world. This experience of delayed and low access to vaccines has led to calls for reparative justice and for moving away from short-term fixes of product donations to support local or regional vaccine manufacturing. Sharing intellectual property and enhancing regional capacity are now framed as moral imperatives against colonialism, and the development of the rotavirus vaccine provides lessons on how this can be achieved.
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EventuntilIn this webinar hosted by NHS Providers, attendees will: learn about the different models of co-production with communities and how these could be applied to the work at your trust hear about the value of working with underserved communities to understand their experiences accessing healthcare services and how this can contribute to the wider agenda of reducing health inequalities discuss with others the enablers and blockers that trusts face when seeking to engage with communities in their service design and development. This webinar is open to NHS board members and health inequalities leads from trusts, foundation trusts and ICBs. Confirmed panel Louise Ansari – chief executive, Healthwatch England Keymn Whervin – head of experience, National Voices Sarah Balchin – director of community engagement and experience, NHS Solent Book a place at the webinar
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Content ArticleThe maternal mortality rate (MMR) in the United States continues to increase despite medical advances and is exacerbated by stark racial disparities. Black women are disproportionately affected and are three times more likely to experience a pregnancy-related death (PRD) compared to Non-Hispanic White (NHW) women. Keisha E. Montalmant and Anna K. Ettinger carried out a literature review to examine the racial disparities in the United States' MMR, specifically among pregnant Black women. The review highlights that maternal health disparities for Black women are further impacted by both structural racism and racial implicit biases. Cultural competence and educational courses targeting racial disparities among maternal healthcare providers (MHCP) are essential for the reduction of PRDs and pregnancy-related complications among this target population. Additionally, quality and proper continuity of care require an increased awareness surrounding the risk of cardiovascular diseases for pregnant Black women.
