Integrated Health Care for Racial Ethnic Minorities: An Opportunity to Improve Access and Eliminate Disparities

Integrated health care is gaining significant momentum across the nation as a preferred approach to providing optimal care for both physical health and behavioral health conditions. Research shows that treating physical health and behavioral health conditions as early as possible, holistically, in a coordinated fashion, close to a person’s home and community, and in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner leads to the best health outcomes.

This presentation is designed to enhance the audiences’ knowledge in the delivery of integrated health care to racial and ethnic minority populations based on a collaborative project led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health and the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health. A national consensus report outlining guiding principles, recommendations and best practice innovations related to the delivery of integrated health care services to racial and ethnic minority communities will be presented. Key science, practice, and policy recommendations outlined in this report will form the basis of the presentation and establish a direction for the transformation of the current behavioral health care system from a “treatment as usual” and singular focused approach to an integrated, whole health approach designed to improve the physical and behavioral health status and well-being of racial and ethnic minority communities and persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP).