The AMA Commission to End Health Care Disparities asked the DRA Project to develop a paper that identifies future opportunities in the emerging area of biomonitoring to reduce disparities. The paper, based on the findings and recommendations of the DRA Project's biomonitoring component, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, reviews developments in testing platforms, applications in diabetes and cancer, key opportunities, caveats (e.g. understanding the limited role of biomonitoring), criteria for biomonitoring applications, and provides recommendations. Click here to read it.
SELECTED PROJECTS
DRA PARTNERS
The DRA Project relies heavily on our network of Sponsors and Partners for our success. We would like to welcome Center for Integrative Medicine in Public Health (CIMPH) as our latest partner. CIMPH is a diverse team of dedicated professionals representing a wide range of specialties including clinical and public health practice, research, epidemiology, health disparities, education and agriculture that share a common interest in defining and developing the intersection of integrative medicine with public health.
DISPARITY REDUCING ADVANCES (DRA)
The Disparity Reducing Advances Project (the DRA Project) is a multi-year, multi-stakeholder project developed by the Institute for Alternative Futures (IAF) to identify the most promising advances for bringing health gains to the poor and underserved and accelerating the development and deployment of these advances to reduce disparities.
The DRA Project works to overcome health disparities by targeting the advances with the highest potential for reducing health disparities and then creating a network of organizations committed to accelerating the development and deployment of those advances. The network will include health care systems and local providers, major Federal government agencies, technology developers, and consumer and patient organizations.
DRA FORESIGHT SEMINARS
10/20/09 The Social Determinants of Health, and Health in All Policies
The DRA Project in conjunction with the Congressional Black Congress Health Brain Trust held its fourth DRA Foresight Briefing on October 20th, 2009 in Washington, D.C. View Summary
2/25/09 Health Equity: Focusing on Health in All Policies
The DRA Project in conjunction with the Congressional Black Congress Health Brain Trust held its third DRA Foresight Briefing on February 25th, 2009 in Washington, D.C. View Summary
11/24/08 The Health Disparities Collaboratives: Enhancing Quality and Reducing Disparities
The DRA Project in conjunction with the Congressional Hispanic Congress held its second DRA Foresight Briefing on November 24th, 2008 in Washington, D.C. More than 100 Congressional staff, NGO representatives and academics attended the standing room only event.
12/6/07 Reducing Health Disparities Faster: Addressing Social Determinants of Health
The DRA Project in conjunction with the Congressional Hispanic Congress held its first DRA Foresight Briefing on December 6th, 2007 in Washington, D.C. The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation has graciously hosted a webcast video, slides and a transcript of the DRA Foresight Briefing here on their website.
DRA REPORTS
Commission to End Health Care Disparities
Report of the National Expert Panel on Social Determinants of Health Equity
Co-written by IAF and provided as a resource on policy and change by UNNATURAL CAUSES...is inequality making us sick?, this report encapsulates the critical thinking, key arguments and recommendations of nationally recognized experts in the area of social determinants of health equity. Click here to view the report.
09-01 Health Equity Policies: A Review of the Recommendations
09-02 Health Equity Recommendations Selected Overview
09-03 State of the Health Equity Movement Memo
08-01 Using Healthy Eating and Active Living Initiatives to Reduce Health Disparities