Vice President and Founding Dean of the Morrison Family College of Health Dr. MayKao Hang and Director of Health Equity Program Development Melanie Ferris recently published an op-ed in MinnPost on how deep disparities in Minnesota’s health care system still leave too many behind, but that there is a fix.
From the article:
Where you live, how much money you make, and nearby resources all play a major role in your health. That’s something the Minnesota Department of Health emphasized in its most recent statewide assessment.
If you live in a rural area, getting to a doctor might mean driving hours. In certain city neighborhoods, finding fresh groceries or a safe place for your children to play can be a challenge. And when it comes to maternal health, Black Minnesotans, who represent 13% of the birthing population, account for 27% of pregnancy-associated deaths, according to a recent MDH report on maternal mortality. Even well-meaning solutions like online vaccine signups during the pandemic left many people behind, especially those without reliable internet access or transportation.
At the same time, Minnesota is often recognized as a national leader in health care. In fact, a recent study even ranked our state first in the nation. It cited our strengths, like the highest number of convenient care clinics per capita, an average emergency room wait time of just 16 minutes, and having among the lowest monthly insurance premiums.
But being a leader doesn’t mean the work is finished. It means we have a responsibility to face the gaps that remain. These are problems we can fix, if we choose to.
MayKao Hang Discusses Whole Person Health Summit on WCCO Radio
Dr. MayKao Y. Hang recently appeared on Vineeta Sawkar’s WCCO Radio show to discuss the Morrison Family College of Health’s Whole Person Health Summit and the evolving landscape of health care.
From the show:
“The focus of the summit each year is to talk about the elements that can actually help create the paradigm shift that we’re seeking through higher ed, obviously, and also in building partnerships with the community. And I think this comes with the recognition that well-being is and cannot be separated from the mental, physical, spiritual and social dimensions that these are really inseparable. What we currently have is a system that is pretty fragmented. In health delivery that is individualistic, payment streams don’t always follow what human beings and families need. So we know that we can’t affect health care. In its entirety of St. Thomas, but we really want to convene people who are interested in this paradigm shift so that we can redesign health care to improve experiences.”
