The Third National Conference on
Quality Health Care for Culturally Diverse Populations:
Advancing Effective Health Care through Systems Development, Data, and Measurement

October 2 - 4, 2002, Chicago, IL
Westin Chicago River North Hotel

Session B-3: Racial/ethnic health disparities: a civil rights matter

The Region V, Office for Civil Rights of the US Department of Health and Human Services wishes to conduct a workshop which will show the differences/similarities between cultural competency/racial and ethnic disparities and the role each plays in assessing the issue of disparities in access to and delivery of health care services. The nexus between OCR’s enforcement role and OCR’s use of alternate approaches in addressing both racial/ethnic disparities and cultural competency will be made evident. This workshop will assist both the general public and health care professionals concerning how OCR has and will continue to close the gap in racial and ethnic disparities occurring in access to/delivery of health care services. OCR Regional Offices across the country are employing a variety of diverse techniques and methodologies to address these subject areas. In addition to the enforcement of the relevant federal statutes (including T-6, 504/ADA, Age), OCR will examine and explore 1) Where are we now; 2) What does the current data show with a focus on implications for change; 3) What data challenges continue to exist and what methodologies can be utilized to overcome these barriers; 4) Identification of innovative strategies; and 5) Assessment tools (both traditional and non-traditional)

The workshop will share those methods representing promising practices and utilized by various OCR regional offices (including the Region V office). These promising practices are those that have proven to be effective means of persuading providers to take voluntary actions in order to meet the needs of the racially diverse populations seeking/in need of services. Promising practice compilations and scenarios involving a representative profile of our federally funded entities will be presented with the goal of providing clarification for the consumers and recipients about the legal obligations/entitlements under the relevant legislation. Additionally, those who wish to become proactive in meeting these articulated obligations and effectively addressing the needs of their target population(s) will find the model Self-Assessment Tool(s) effective and easily implemented with a cost conscious focus. Additional information concerning specific OCR initiatives in progress will be shared as well. (Research Study on Kidney Transplantation and its Civil Rights Implications, Efforts to have local medical schools include cultural sensitivity curriculum and Listening Sessions targeted towards beneficiaries and recipients/providers, etc)

Sylvia Philpot
Senior Equal Opportunity Specialist
US Department of Health and Human Services
Office for Civil Rights, Region V
233 North Michigan, Suite 240
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: 312-886-5887
E-mail: 312-886-1807
E-mail: Sylvia.Philpot@hhs.gov

In the Region V office which covers the six Mid-western states, she has worked in this capacity since July 1978 and has been responsible for investigation and enforcing the civil rights laws which govern a wide range of issues, such as Child Welfare, Disability and Limited English Speaking provisions. Most recently, she has had responsibility for examining the civil rights implications around Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Health, that affect all minority groups. This is a national initiative and a Regional one as well. In addition to investigative work, Ms. Philpot performs outreach and provides technical assistance for all of the federal statutes that her office enforces to ensure compliance by health and social service providers. Since there is hardly any health or social service provider that does not receive federal financial assistance, in one form or another, her tasks are voluminous. Ms. Philpot has both undergraduate and graduate degrees from Roosevelt University of Chicago, in the field of Industrial and Organization Psychology.

Patricia Harper
Equal Opportunity Specialist
US Department of Health and Human Services
Office for Civil Rights, Region V
233 North Michigan, Suite 240
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: 312-886-5895
Fax: 312-886-1807
E-mail: Pat.harper@hhs.gov

Ms. Harper has worked as an investigator since February 1979 and has been responsible for the resolution of charges of discrimination filed with the Department on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, disability, and age. She has also served in a similar capacity with the Departments of Defense and Labor enforcing employment discrimination laws. Most recently, she is a member of the Region V Health Disparities Team, with a focus on outreach to faith-based organizations and the African American communities. Ms. Harper attended Wellesley College and received her BS degree in Psychology from Hampton University. She has done post-graduate work at the University of Illinois.

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