Posted: 6/15/2023
Initiatives to address Dallas County health disparities recognized
America’s Essential Hospitals (AEH) has named Parkland Health the 2023 Gage Award Winner for Population Health, recognizing a series of initiatives launched in 2019 to advance health equity in Dallas County.
Parkland implemented nine population health initiatives when the 2019 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) revealed significant health disparities in lower income versus more affluent Dallas County ZIP Codes. The projects developed to address those disparities are the focus of the award from AEH, the nation’s largest association representing hospitals that care for low-income and other marginalized people.
“We are honored to be recognized by America’s Essential Hospitals for our work to advance health equity in Dallas County. At Parkland Health, we strive to ensure equitable care for our patients and to address inequities in healthcare at the community level,” said Fred Cerise, MD, Parkland’s President & CEO. “To be recognized for our work on the CHNA initiatives is a tribute to our many dedicated team members and community partners who are working together to address health disparities among the people we serve.”
“The 2019 Community Health Needs Assessment provided focus and lead to meaningful work,” said Jessica Hernandez, Parkland’s SVP and Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer. “We are implementing evidence-based approaches and improving community resource coordination to benefit populations most harmed by health disparities. We are grateful for the support to work toward a healthier Dallas County where individuals and families can thrive.”
With an overall goal to develop long-term, comprehensive strategies to break the cycles that are responsible for health inequities, the CHNA initiatives included efforts to address Dallas County disparities in access to care, behavioral health, breast health, diabetes, hypertension, maternal health, pediatric asthma, sexually transmitted infections and cultural competency. By focusing on ZIP Codes with the greatest challenges, partnering with established community organizations and developing data systems and analytic capacity among the many strategies, the CHNA initiatives laid the groundwork for a healthier Dallas County.
Progress resulting from the 2019 CHNA initiatives includes:
- 350,000 additional primary care encounters recorded from 2019-2022
- 52 locations of access points for healthcare screenings established with Access to Care and Coverage programs embedded in community-based organizations
- 39 new Patient Financial Assistance partners with 105 trained staff to help complete and submit coverage eligibility applications
- Establishment of the now nationally recognized extending Maternal Care After Pregnancy (eMCAP) program to care for new mothers up to 12 months after delivery
- Establishment of pediatric asthma home visit and texting notification programs
- Increased behavioral health services, both adult and pediatric
- Increased blood pressure screenings in targeted ZIP Codes with particular focus on African Americans as they have a significantly higher mortality rate related to hypertension than any other race/ethnicity
- Increased STI testing, treatment, and education
- Increased hiring of Parkland employees who live in the CHNA target ZIP Codes
- A 66% gain in equity in diabetes control in target ZIP Codes
“I extend my deepest gratitude to America’s Essential Hospitals for bestowing this high award upon us,” said Donna Persaud, MD, Medical Director CHNA Initiatives. “It is exciting to see how this body of work has been a catalyst for all too often hidden people and community network treasures in neighborhoods historically regarded as lacking. We can all benefit from such remarkable journeys to better health.”
The Gage Award for Population Health recognizes programs to improve specific health outcomes for a defined population or community by addressing the social and economic factors that influence health. The award, named after America’s Essential Hospitals founder Larry Gage, honor and share successful and creative member hospital programs that improve patient care and meet community needs.
For more information about the Community Health Needs Assessment and the 2019 initiatives, visit www.parklandhealth.org/dallas-community-health
For more information about Parkland services, visit www.parklandhealth.org.