Medical advances and new technologies have improved the potential for Americans to live longer and healthier lives. Yet, still, health gaps and well-documented health disparities affecting racial and ethnic minority populations persist. New approaches and partnerships to shape core actions are needed to close health gaps, which include those closely linked with disparities in oral health and oral health care.

A New Approach

The National Partnership for Action to End Health Disparities is a new approach. Under the leadership of the Office of Minority Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the NPA was established to mobilize a nationwide, comprehensive, community-driven, and sustained effort to combat health disparities; and to move the nation toward achieving health equity. Through the coordination of partners, leaders, and stakeholders committed to action, the overall mission is to increase the effectiveness of programs that target the elimination of health disparities.

NPA Goals

NPA goal areas are well-known to longstanding challenges faced by oral health leaders who hold responsibility for strengthening the capacity of the dental health infrastructure. The goals are:

• 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.
• Leadership - Strengthen and broaden leadership for addressing health disparities at all levels.
• Health System and Life Experience - Improve health and healthcare outcomes for racial, ethnic, and underserved populations.
• Cultural and Linguistic Competency - Improve cultural and linguistic competency and the diversity of the health-related workforce.
• Data, Research, and Evaluation - Improve data availability and coordination, utilization, and diffusion of research and evaluation outcomes.

Through cooperative and strategic actions, the NPA can serve as a roadmap for oral health leaders. The companion HHS Action Plan to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health and Health Care, National Stakeholder Strategy for Achieving Health Equity, and Regional Blueprints for Action guide the work going forward at local, state, and regional levels. Learn more about the NPA and companion initiatives at www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov.

Together we can. Together we will.