APHA 2013: The 'have-nots' of health care reform, medical home, vulnerable elders are the topics of
Nearly four dozen APHA presentations feature Center researchers or CHIS data.
Although millions of low- and middle-income Californians will gain access to health coverage under the Affordable Care Act in the next year, as many as four million Californians could remain uninsured or face access barriers to quality care. At this year's American Public Health Association (APHA) annual meeting ― the largest gathering of public health professionals in the United States ― three special Center-led sessions will focus on the "have-nots" of health care reform, including the uninsured, those with chronic or mental health conditions, those who face language barriers, as well as vulnerable groups, such as "dual eligible" senior citizens.
In total, APHA will feature nearly four dozen presentations representing Center researchers or CHIS data, on topics ranging from smoke-free workplaces to diabetes and obesity among Asian and Pacific Islander groups to primary care for homeless veterans. See a complete list of all Center and CHIS APHA presentations here.
Special sessions
Those left out of health care reform will be the topic of the first Center-sponsored session: "How will the ACA meet demands of vulnerable groups in California?" (Nov. 5/APHA session 4236). In this session, Center Director Gerald Kominski will moderate a panel discussion on topics ranging from uninsured children in immigrant families to language barriers that might pose enrollment and access problems. Learn more about this session.
In a related invited session, "Challenges of implementing the Affordable Care Act: Health care needs of vulnerable populations with behavioral health and complex chronic conditions," (Nov. 4/APHA session 3454.1) Nadereh Pourat, the Center’s director of research, will moderate a discussion on innovative care delivery strategies needed for successful implementation of ACA. Specifically, Pourat and her fellow panelists will discuss the challenges of implementing a "medical home" model of coordinated care for especially vulnerable populations, such as those with chronic or mental health conditions, as well as those with limited English proficiency. Learn more about this session.
A third sponsored session, “Assessing and addressing the needs of the most vulnerable of older adults in California,” (Nov. 6/APHA session 5087) examines how the physical, psychological and social care needs of vulnerable California seniors are being assessed and addressed. Panelists, including the Center's associate director, Steven P. Wallace, will look at seniors of limited economic means ― particularly the 1.1 million Californians who are "dual-eligible" ― and the challenges associated with accessing care and managing complex health conditions. Learn more about this session.
Free publications, data
APHA, taking place Nov. 2–6 in Boston, Mass., is the largest gathering of public health professionals in the nation and provides a first look at new health research by leaders in the field.
Pick up FREE publications and data resources at the Center's APHA exhibit table #1157 near the “Everything APHA” center hall exhibit area.
About the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research
The UCLA Center for Health Policy Research (CHPR) is one of the nation’s leading health policy research centers and the premier source of health policy information for California. UCLA CHPR improves the public’s health through high quality, objective, and evidence-based research and data that informs effective policymaking. UCLA CHPR is the home of the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) and is part of the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health.
