Background: ACADEMY for HEALTH EQUITY

ACADEMY for HEALTH EQUITY

Over the past decade, efforts to eliminate health disparities have been met with limited
results. This is largely due to many individual and uncoordinated activities taking place
that are designed to address specific diseases and organ systems rather than the
population as a whole. One essential missing element is an organization that can bring
together the varied and diverse stakeholders to exchange ideas, disseminate information,
conduct research, training and other activities to promote equity in health for all.
Plans for the establishment of an organization began in January 2006 during a convened
meeting of researchers, policy-makers, and other interested parties attending the
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Minority Health (OMH)
National Summit to Eliminate Health Disparities. During the National Summit, a brief
needs assessment survey was administrated to selected participants. Additionally, a
petition was circulated to gather names for endorsement of the new organization. The
results of the survey (n=179) and petition (n=405) demonstrated a compelling need for a
common identity among the various disciplines demonstrated by the respondents.

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