This will be our last discussion! Let’s use it as a platform for deliberation and action. For this week we will take a careful look at where we stand as a nation. Let’s consider the current state of affairs. Advancing the health of the vulnerable populations is taken on by an array of interested parties and administrative organizations in the government. Can we successfully incorporate lessons from abroad?

To begin:

• One of our goals in this course is for you all to become informed advocates for vulnerable populations –change agents. Based on all that we have covered so far, what makes an effective change agent? What skills, attributes, resources, knowledge, etc., are needed?

Now applying your readings for the rest of the week:

• Imagine that you are an employee of an organization that addresses health disparities in some way. Before you retire in X years, what would you want the organization to accomplish? What would be on your “bucket list” for your organization? What can you draw on from Shi & Stevens’ “Course of Action of Resolving Disparities” to move the program into the future? As you discuss, consider some of the key issues we have covered this term, such as fragmentation, costs, lack of comprehensive integrated services, social determinants, swaying organizational management and public policymaker perceptions, etc. This is a hypothetical exercise, so please feel free to be creative in your discussions (and post titles) with your classmates.
• Going forward, what is one thing you can do to contribute to a reduction in health disparities?

Consult the Discussion Posting Guide for information about writing your discussion posts. It is recommended that you write your post in a document first. Check your work and correct any spelling or grammatical errors. When you are ready to make your initial post, click on “Reply.” Then copy/paste the text into the message field, and click “Post Reply.”

To respond to a peer, click “Reply” beneath her or his post and continue as with an initial post.