Many of our most vulnerable and underserved residents pass through the criminal justice system. Incarcerated men and women have disproportionately high rates of chronic illnesses, infectious diseases, mental health disorders, and substance abuse. Minorities are significantly over-represented in this population and the number of female inmates is increasing at an alarming rate. Since one of our primary goals as public health professionals is to eliminate health disparities, this population must be a significant focus of our efforts and interventions.
The Massachusetts Public Health Association (MPHA) has recently undertaken a correctional health initiative to address the health status of inmates. Over the coming year, MPHA will: (1) Hold strategic meetings with key stakeholders and activists involved in correctional health, to identify areas in need of advocacy and education; (2) Educate public health practitioners about the criminal justice system in Massachusetts and related public health concerns; (3) Promote dissemination of information between correctional administrators about existing programs that have been effective in improving the health status of inmates; (4) Review correctional health-related legislation for potential support and mobilization of the public health community; (5) Develop and disseminate a policy report describing the current correctional health system and highlighting MPHA’s recommendations for future improvement.
As MPHA forges collaborations between correctional administrators, policy makers, public health professionals, and advocates to address the need to improve the health status of Massachusetts inmates, we will have gained a great deal of information to share about the challenges and opportunities involved with improving a local correctional health system.
Learning Objectives: none
Keywords: Correctional Health Care,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.