Pharmacy student immunizes woman
By Dr. Monica Holiday-Goodman, professor of Pharmacy Practice and Program Director of the Health Outcomes and Socioeconomic Sciences program
Health disparities are defined as differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality and burden of diseases or adverse health conditions that exist among specific population groups (NIH). Health care disparities are differences in access to health care and quality of health care among populations (National Healthcare Disparities Report). As the country observes Black History Month, it is important that pharmacy professionals be aware that African Americans experience major health and health care disparities compared to other groups. This is especially true in regard to hypertension, diabetes, HIV, infant mortality, and immunization rates.
Although the presence of disparities often is correlated with socioeconomic factors such as level of income, or lack of health care coverage, this is not the case for disparities related to immunizations. Studies have shown that African Americans are less likely than Caucasian Americans to receive immunizations, even when health care coverage is comparable (AARP)1. Vaccine-preventable diseases are responsible for over 60,000 deaths each year in the US (CDC). As pharmacists are allowed to provide several immunizations, our role in the elimination of this disparity is crucial.
Pharmacists can assist by informing patients of the importance of key immunizations, and of our ability to provide them. With our presence in virtually every community, we can assure that all patients, especially those who are traditionally underserved, are aware of the opportunity to receive immunizations from a pharmacist. In this way, we can be a driving force in improving our nation’s public health and in the elimination of health and health care disparities.
1Flowers, L. (2007). Racial and ethnic disparities in influenza and pneumococcal immunization rates among Medicare beneficiaries. Issue Brief (Public Policy Institute (American Association of Retired Persons)), no. IB83, 1-6.