Dear Closing the Health Gap Community:

Today, on Nelson Mandela International Day, we honor the legacy of a global icon who dedicated his life to justice, equality and the power of collective action. Born on July 18, 1918, Nelson Mandela stood fearlessly against apartheid and championed human dignity for all. His unwavering belief in the possibility of change continues to inspire movements around the world, including our own.

At the Center for Closing the Health Gap, we carry that torch forward in the fight for health equity. The work is far from over but together, we move forward. “We Must Save Us” is a call to action, a declaration that real change begins within our own communities.

Thank you for standing with us. And blessings to all of you for a safe and healthy week ahead.

Renee Mahaffey Harris

President & CEO

Health Equity: Are We There Yet?

Health inequities began in a dark place. A history of slavery, poverty, and bias, federal mandates of separate but equal (Plessy vs. Ferguson, 1896), and hospital practices cross the historically segregated Southern United States, resulted in a decades long history of pernicious health disparities that became deeply embedded in medicine. The extent of those disparities was codified in the Heckler Report, describing for the first time excess deaths (60 000 per year), in Blacks or African Americans attributable to heart disease and cancer. The findings were sobering and prompted former Secretary of Health and Human Services, Margaret Heckler, to poignantly articulate, “It can—it should—mark the beginning of the end of the health disparity that has, for so long, cast a shadow on the otherwise splendid American track record of ever improving health.”

AHA responds to HHS RFI on deregulation

The AHA July 14 responded to a Department of Health and Human Services request for information regarding lawful regulation and innovation to promote better health. The AHA said it agreed with HHS’ stance that reducing unnecessary administrative burden could foster improved health, and highlighted recommendations on deregulation opportunities relevant for hospitals and health systems to address chronic disease. The AHA made initial recommendations that included reducing administrative and coverage barriers to care, advancing the sustainable adoption of technology and innovation, facilitating whole-person care and sustaining the health care workforce. The AHA also shared a comprehensive list of 100 ways to free hospitals from burdensome administrative requirements and highlighted a report of programs across all 50 states to demonstrate the critical work hospitals do daily to combat chronic illness.

Archbishop Caccia delivers Statement at the High Level Political Forum debate on SDG3

By H. E. Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia

Mr. President, 

My Delegation welcomes this discussion on the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. In this regard, it is important to underscore that health is not merely the absence of illness, but a holistic state of physical, psychological, social, spiritual and emotional wellbeing. It is a vital part of integral human development.

Regrettably, progress towards the achievement of SDG 3 remains uneven. Persistent obstacles, including fragile health systems, inadequate funding, and an increasing burden of non-communicable diseases continue to exacerbate existing health disparities. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed structural weaknesses and aggravated existing inequalities. These disparities are evident in the millions of people who still lack access to basic healthcare, the stagnant maternal mortality rates, and the silent suffering of those with untreated mental health conditions. 

To overcome these challenges and realise health and well-being for all, comprehensive and integrated policies that recognise the interdependence of SDG3 with other Goals should be adopted. Such policies must take into account the links between health outcomes and poverty (SDG1), hunger and nutrition (SDG2), education (SDG4) and clean water and sanitation (SDG6). Furthermore, health and wellbeing are also profoundly impacted by partnerships and financing (SDG17).

Achieving health and wellbeing for all also calls for special attention to be paid to the most vulnerable members of the human family, including the unborn, children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, migrants and those living in conflict-affected areas. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights clearly states that “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including […] medical care.”[1] This is a right for all, not a privilege for the few, rooted in the fundamental truth that every human life is sacred and worthy of care from conception to natural death. Therefore, any approach that undermines human dignity or denies care based on perceived utility or cost must be rejected. Instead, there must be a commitment to health and wellbeing by protecting and serving those most at risk of being forgotten.

Ideological or economic agendas must never shape healthcare; it must remain person-centred. Faith-based organisations, including Catholic health institutions, play a vital role in achieving this. Strengthening partnerships with these institutions could therefore help to keep healthcare person-centred. The Catholic Church, which runs approximately a quarter of all health facilities worldwide, will continue to provide care to the poorest and those in the most remote areas.

Thank you.

Examining the Influence of Demographic and Socioeconomic Factors on Disparities in Health Care App Usage: Protocol for a Systematic Scoping Review

The rapid proliferation of health care apps has transformed health care delivery, providing patients with unprecedented access to medical information and services. These apps facilitate remote consultations, appointment scheduling, medication reminders, and health monitoring, thereby enhancing patient engagement and improving health outcomes. Despite the widespread benefits, disparities in the adoption and usage of health care apps persist, influenced by demographic and socioeconomic factors. Understanding these disparities is crucial for designing interventions that promote equitable access to digital health tools.