APA Media Advisory

September 18, 2009
Contact: Audrey Hamilton
(202) 336-5706

AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION LEADS SENATE BRIEFING ON REDUCING HEALTH INEQUALITIES IN HEALTH CARE REFORM

WHAT: In an effort to build support for health reform, the National Working Group on Health Disparities and Health Reform, led by the APA, will hold a congressional briefing to highlight the costs associated with health care inequalities among certain populations in the United States. APA’s CEO, along with several other panelists, will talk about several health disparity issues, such as work force development, language access, prevention and economic costs and savings.

WHO:

• Norman Anderson, PhD, CEO, American Psychological Association
• Tom Bornemann, EdD, Director, The Carter Center Mental Health Program
• Carolyn Clancy, MD, Director, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
• Kavita Patel, MD, White House Director of Policy
• Marcos Pesquera, MPH, Director, Center on Health Disparities at Adventist HealthCare
• Brian Smedley, PhD, Vice President and Director, Health Policy Institute at the Joint Center for Economic and Political Studies
• Len Nichols, PhD, health care economist and director of New America Foundation

WHERE: Capitol Visitor Center, Senate Meeting Rooms 208 and 209

WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009, 12:00-1:30 p.m.

BACKGROUND: Understanding and eliminating inequalities in health care has been a major focus of APA. Health disparities are found in many different vulnerable populations and represent a major public health challenge. APA has long advocated that this issue be considered a national priority when considering any health care reform.

The American Psychological Association , in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States and is the world’s largest association of psychologists. APA’s membership includes more than 150,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance psychology as a science, as a profession and as a means of promoting health, education and human welfare.