Transitions Optical has published a roundtable paper exploring a collaborative approach to improving the eye health of culturally diverse populations.
Considering the strong link between eye health and overall health and quality of life, participants agreed during the roundtable that there is a great need for eyecare professionals to collaborate with general health professionals, and health-based community and cultural organizations, to promote eye health education and provide optimal eye care. The corresponding paper overviews:
• Common overall health issues among diverse populations and implications for eye health
• Cultural considerations for improving quality of care
• Collaborative opportunities for improving quality of care and reaching new patients
• Best practices and strategies from the general health care sector and health-based, community and cultural organizations
• Resources that can be used to promote eye health education and collaboration
The paper is authored by roundtable participants, who represent multiple points of interaction with at-risk diverse populations:
• Neyal Ammary-Risch, MPH, MCHES – Director, National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP), National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP), National Eye Institute
• Mila and Jimmy Ferrer – Bloggers and Co-Founders of Familias con Diabetes
• Margo LaDrew – National Board Member, National Council of Negro Women and Founder, Black Beauty Shop Program
• Edwin Marshall, OD, MS, MPH – Professor Emeritus of Optometry and Former Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Multicultural Affairs, Indiana University
• Charlotte Parniawski, RN-BC, MSN, CNE – Nurse Educator, Bridgeport Hospital School of Nursing, part of the Yale New Haven Health
• Diane Sheehan, APRN, CDE – Nurse Practitioner, Northeast Medical Group, Bridgeport, part of the Yale New Haven Health System
• Dan Suarez – President, National Association of Hispanic Nurses
• Vincent Young, MD – Chairman, Division of Ophthalmology, Albert Einstein Medical
The paper can be downloaded and ordered, free-of-charge, at MyMulticulturalToolkit.com.