Louisiana Healthcare Connections is partnering with higher education outlets across the state to fund a $1.5 million program to eliminate health disparities and create a more inclusive, representative healthcare system. The Equity in Health and Care initiative will implement coordinated strategies in partnership with Xavier University, Bossier Parish Community College, and Delgado Community College. The initiative will focus on four major areas: equity in health outcomes, diversity and inclusion in the healthcare workforce, economic social determinants of health, and community health.
“Our mission at Louisiana Healthcare Connections is to transform Louisiana’s health and create health equity for our Medicaid population,” says Jamie Schlottman, chief executive officer. ”Sharing data to identify disparities, collaborating in our communities to address disparities, and investing in economic opportunities within the healthcare field will result in real-world improvements in health equity.”
To impact equity in health outcomes, Xavier University will leverage Louisiana Healthcare Connections’ health data for academic research and pilot projects focused on maternal and childhood health, hypertension and diabetes.
“As a university that seeks a more just and humane society, Xavier understands the importance of addressing health equity issues on a systemic level,” says Dr. Reynold Verret, president of Xavier University. “Our collaboration with Louisiana Healthcare Connections has the potential to profoundly improve the health of our communities.
Additionally, Louisiana Healthcare Connections is making a multi-year investment to create scholarship programs in medical coding, community health work, and allied health programs with Delgado Community College and Bossier Parish Community College. The scholarships will be geared toward those currently enrolled in Medicaid, helping address economic factors that affect health, providing new job opportunities, and fostering a more inclusive healthcare workforce. These colleges provide access to innovative learning environments to a diverse population in New Orleans and North Louisiana as well as distance-learning opportunities.
“Our state’s healthcare system suffers from a lack of skilled workers for positions in administrative, operational, and allied roles,” notes Dr. Rick Bateman, chancellor of Bossier Parish Community College. “This partnership with Louisiana Healthcare Connections will not only take advantage of curriculum specifically designed to meet the ever-evolving needs of the healthcare industry, but also provide additional skills to an often overlooked part of our workforce.”
“This scholarship program will accelerate Louisiana’s ability to deliver healthcare to those most in need, through community-based health coaching and telehealth,” says Larissa Littleton-Steib, chancellor of Delgado Community College. “We are proud to partner with Louisiana Healthcare Connections on healthcare workforce development to address long-standing health disparities in a sustainable way.”