Better Health for Everyone Through Prevention: What Action Can We Take?

“April is National Minority Health Month! This annual observance builds awareness about the health disparities that persist among racial and ethnic minority and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations and encourages everyone to take action to end these inequities. This year's theme, Be the Source for Better Health: Improving Health Outcomes Through Our Cultures, Communities, and Connections, is about understanding how the unique environments, cultures, histories and circumstances (known as social determinants of health, or SDOH) of racial and ethnic minority and AI/AN populations impact their overall health.” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

Individual and societal contributors to health disparities are preventable. As physicians dedicated to prevention, we can help to reduce and eliminate disparities that might affect the health of our families, friends, communities and our increasingly diverse nation. We can demonstrate our expertise in preventive medicine by engaging in Continuing Medical Education (CME) activities and becoming board certified in preventive medicine.

In the ACPM Newsletter issued in December 2023, Dr. Michele A. Soltis, chair of the Education Committee, updated the college that ACPM continues to partner with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide physicians with online and in- person educational opportunities and CME credits to enhance our practice of preventive medicine. ACPM continues to work closely with the American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM) in supporting preventive medicine physicians to obtain initial board certification, regain board certification and maintain board certification through the ABPM’s Continuing Certification Program (CCP), which was launched in 2023.

ACPM offers a wide range of ACCME accredited courses ranging from board review courses and practice exams to core topics in preventive medicine and health equity in preventive practice. This is a great resource for physicians pursuing initial board certification and diplomates participating in the first phase of CCP to gain fundamental knowledge in prevention and earn the CME credits. For former diplomates seeking reinstatement of board certification, the ACPM offers a one-stop shop to meet the ABPM’s requirements including completion of the CME credits, a patient safety course, and a Practice Enhancement Activity. The Education Committee/CME Subcommittee plays a key role in these ACPM sponsored educational activities.

While providing clinical care to individual patients or practicing preventive medicine at the population level, we all can take action to improve health outcomes for everyone and end the health disparities and inequities. We can be the source for better health for our communities and our nation.