(Press-News.org) NEW ORLEANS – The Ochsner-Xavier Institute for Health Equity and Research, or OXIHER, has published its first strategic plan, outlining strategic priorities and achievements since the institute began in 2020.
The strategic plan is available here.
A partnership between Ochsner Health and Xavier University of Louisiana, OXIHER examines health disparities at the community level while educating healthcare providers on creating and nurturing a culture of equity, and training more students for advanced careers in healthcare.
The new plan details OXIHER’s substantial progress in its first three years in addressing the leading health inequities experienced by Louisiana residents. To date,
More than 34,000 community members have been reached through more than 100 outreach events supported by OXIHER
36% of newly enrolled patients in Ochsner clinical trials represent racial and ethnic minority groups
$3 million in legislative funding has been received for Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine
66% of Ochsner Health nurse scholars come from diverse backgrounds, along with 93% of community health worker trainees
OXIHER’s partnership with Ochsner’s digital medicine hypertension program helped reduce racial disparities in blood pressure control among Medicaid-insured patients from a high of 16% down to 1% after 18 months of follow-up
The report also details OXIHER’s five areas of focus to address the social factors that contribute to health disparities:
Community engagement
Outcomes research
Population health strategies
Workforce development and educational initiatives
Health advocacy
“We believe that clinical expertise, data, knowledge and action will lead to improved health for the people in the communities we serve,” says Eboni Price-Haywood, MD, OXIHER medical director.
For more information about the institute’s mission and how communities can join the effort, visit OXIHER online.
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About Ochsner Health
Ochsner Health is the leading nonprofit healthcare provider in the Gulf South, delivering expert care at its 46 hospitals and more than 370 health and urgent care centers. For 12 consecutive years, U.S. News & World Report has recognized Ochsner as the No. 1 hospital in Louisiana. Additionally, Ochsner Children’s has been recognized as the No. 1 hospital for kids in Louisiana for three consecutive years. Ochsner inspires healthier lives and stronger communities through a combination of standard-setting expertise, quality and connection not found anywhere else in the region. In 2023, Ochsner Health cared for more than 1.5 million people from every state in the nation and 65 countries. Ochsner’s workforce includes more than 38,000 dedicated team members and over 4,700 employed and affiliated physicians. To learn more about how Ochsner empowers people to get well and stay well, visit https://www.ochsner.org/.
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