Revision Date 07/30/12 The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists
Policy for the Elimination of Endocrine Healthcare Disparities in the USA
Since its inception, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) has advocated for the finest in endocrine education and state-of-the-art health care delivery without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, age, country of origin, economic status, lifestyle, sexual orientation or domestic living arrangements. We, the members of AACE, our patients, and our corporate partners represent the primary stakeholders in the delivery of endocrine care in the USA. As such, we have developed the following statement as the AACE policy toward the prevention and elimination of disparities in endocrine care and education.
Introduction
AACE recognizes the existence of disparities in endocrine care for sub-groups of our population in the USA. Although there are many definitions of healthcare disparity, AACE accepts the definition stated in the Minority Health and Health Disparities Research and Education Act in United States Public Law 106-525 (2000), 114 Stat. 2498. This law states that health disparity is the: “overall rate of disease incidence, prevalence, morbidity, mortality or survival rates in the population as compared to the health status of the general population.” Clearly, certain demographic groups develop diabetes mellitus, obesity, thyroid cancers, hyperparathyroidism, and osteoporotic hip fractures at disproportionately higher rates and are more likely to die from complications of endocrine disease. The following statement reflects our policy to address defects in endocrine care, research, education, and political advocacy that may serve to facilitate these disparities.
General Statement of AACE’s position on Disparities of Endocrine Care in the USA
AACE actively opposes the continued existence of endocrine healthcare disparities in the USA and will devote its resources to diminish these disparities. AACE members, staff, partners, and others with whom AACE interacts will continually advocate for understanding, prevention, and elimination of endocrine healthcare disparities.
1. Elimination of Disparities in Delivery of Endocrine Healthcare
AACE calls upon its members to develop and execute strategies to help prevent and eliminate disparities of endocrine healthcare in their practices and communities. AACE actively supports the promulgation of improved delivery of endocrine healthcare through collaborations with other physicians and members of the healthcare team. Active collaborations with organizations that advocate on behalf of underserved populations will be pursued for the purpose of developing specific strategies to improve delivery of endocrine healthcare to a wide variety of communities. AACE will also work with the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Corporate-AACE partners (CAP), foundations and others to improve access and delivery of optimal healthcare to all.
2. Elimination of Endocrine Healthcare Disparities in Research and other Educational Programs
AACE will insist that its members’ research and organizational educational programs address endocrine healthcare disparities in the USA. AACE will encourage local and national educational projects and programs designed to help elucidate, prevent and eliminate these disparities
3. Political Initiatives to Eliminate Endocrine Healthcare Disparities
AACE will advocate for policies and programs that improve the healthcare delivery, research and medical education for all persons, particularly the underserved populations. AACE members and their patients will also be encouraged to support other organizations that advocate for the elimination of endocrine healthcare disparities.
4. Continued Support and Development of Future Endocrinologists from Diverse Populations
American Medicine and Endocrinology, in particular, have encouraged physicians of all ethnic extraction and creed from all over the world to join our ranks. AACE continues to support this endeavor. AACE will seek to develop special educational initiatives to acquaint students with endocrinology and will continue to support mentorship programs in high schools, colleges and medical schools, to facilitate the development of endocrine healthcare leaders from all backgrounds.
AACE will also continue to support and promote diversity among endocrinology fellows in training who attend local and national educational meetings organized by AACE.
5. Maintenance of Internal Organizational Structure that Supports the Elimination of Healthcare Disparities
To insure the association’s continued commitment to the elimination of endocrine healthcare disparities, the AACE Officers, Board of Directors, Advisory Boards and Committees shall continue to reflect the breadth of diversity that exists in our organization.