NHPCO NewsLine Summer 2015 - (Page 34)

Short Takes NHPCO Re-establishes Diversity Advisory Council Research has shown that hospice utilization among diverse populations is disproportionately low, accounting for less than one-fifth of hospice patients in 2013. As reported in NHPCO's Facts and Figures: Hospice Care in America, African Americans accounted for approximately 8.4 percent of patients served in 2013, and 6.8 percent of patients were identified as being of Hispanic or Latino origin. Asians and Pacific Islanders accounted for 2.9 percent of patients. Studies have concluded that many African Americans, for example, are distrustful of the government and the healthcare system, a distrust that is rooted in both historical and present day experiences, and may play a role in the decisions families make when facing the challenges of a lifelimiting illness. To help address this disparity in end-of-life care, NHPCO has brought back its Diversity Advisory Council, made up of hospice and healthcare professionals and experts who are working to increase access to hospice and palliative care services to communities that are underserved or may not be taking advantage of the many benefits of hospice and palliative care. The council will assist with the development of additional resources and tools related to serving diverse populations. The Diversity Advisory Council is being chaired by a long-standing champion and advocate for hospice access, Dr. Bernice Catherine Harper - a social worker by profession. She is joined by one of NHPCO's committed and passionate board members, Greg Wood. 34 NHPCO NewsLine | Summer 2015 Additionally, NHPCO is identifying and engaging with a range of other providers and organizations to partner with us. Together with the council, our membership, and other partners we will work to increase access to hospice and palliative care services and help hospice and palliative care providers build the capacity to cultivate diversity and inclusion throughout their programs. "With guidance from the Diversity Advisory Council and our members, we will build a strong initiative to ensure that we're reaching all those who need hospice care," said NHPCO Senior Vice President, Office of Education, Access, and Philanthropy, Diane Hill Taylor. "We must learn to adapt our messaging about hospice care to better align with a community's healthcare practices and end-of-life cultural beliefs and attitudes." "Informing, caring for and genuinely hearing the needs of the African American community, and all underserved communities, are essential elements in creating a successful outreach initiative," says Diversity Advisory Council Co-Chair Dr. Bernice Catharine Harper. The council will also address other diverse groups with low hospice utilization rates including Latino and Asian populations. To support the work of hospice providers, newlyrevised version of NHPCO's African American Outreach Guide (PDF) and the Latino Outreach Guide (PDF) are available online, free of charge in the Access section of NHPCO's website. The guides outline key principles and insights to help hospices better serve these diverse communities. http://www.nhpco.org/sites/default/files/public/Statistics_Research/2014_Facts_Figures.pdf http://www.nhpco.org/sites/default/files/public/Statistics_Research/2014_Facts_Figures.pdf http://www.nhpco.org/sites/default/files/public/Access/African_American_Outreach_Guide.pdf http://www.nhpco.org/sites/default/files/public/Access/African_American_Outreach_Guide.pdf http://www.nhpco.org/sites/default/files/public/Access/Latino_OutreachGuide_Abbreviated.pdf http://www.nhpco.org/sites/default/files/public/Access/Latino_OutreachGuide_Abbreviated.pdf http://www.nhpco.org/access

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NHPCO NewsLine Summer 2015

Issue Table of Contents
2015 Virtual Conference (display ad)
A Message From Don
Research on Hospice Care in Rural Areas
NHPCO's Rural Task Force
Thanks to MLC Supporters (display ad)
Improving Morale Through Authentic Appreciation
Simione Healthy Business Solutions (display ad)
ACHC Accreditation in your Field (display ad)
A Closer Look at Rebranding
ehospiceUSA (display ad)
AAHPM Intensive (display ad)
Diversity Advisory Council
Global Partners in Care
IOM National Conference
CSU Institute Collaboration
Pediatric Conversation Starter Kit
Regulatory Tools
State Hospice Profile (display ad)
Member News
Clinical Team Conference (display ad)
News From National Hospice Foundation
NHPCO Educational Offerings (display ad)
News From Global Partners in Care
NHF Fundraising (display ad)
Moments of Life Video Collection (display ad)
More from Moments of Life
Links to Helpful Resources

NHPCO NewsLine Summer 2015