Race as a Social Construct: Serving the Needs of All Individuals

Race is a social construct that is broadly used to categorize people based on physical characteristics, behavioral patterns, and geographic location. Race is not a proxy for biology or genetics. Data regarding race is typically based on self-identification and data collection routinely allows respondents to select more than one race. Racial and ethnic groups that have historically faced discrimination are at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Ohio Department of Medicaid recognizes that social inequality, not genetic differences, produce these racial and ethnic health disparities. Examining health access, health care quality, and health outcome data by race and ethnicity allows the health system to assist in addressing the factors contributing to inequity and ensure that the health system serves the needs of all individuals. October 2021

For more information, please contact Melissa Nance, ODM Quality Improvement Section Chief (Melissa.Nance@medicaid.ohio.gov).

Sharing best practices to improve cardiovascular and diabetes health.

Founded in 2017, the mission of Cardi-OH is to improve cardiovascular and diabetes health outcomes and eliminate disparities in Ohio's Medicaid population.

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A 2022 consensus report from the American Diabetes Association provides detailed updates on the epidemiology, staging, and management of heart failure (HF) as a complication of diabetes. Heart failure has a prevalence of up to 22% in people with diabetes, and may develop independently of other cardiovascular conditions, presenting as the first cardiovascular disease in this population.

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Experts at Ohio's seven medical schools identify, produce, and disseminate the latest evidence-based cardiovascular and diabetes best practices.

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Utilize monthly newsletters and an online repository of resources at Cardi-OH.org, podcasts available on Cardi-OH Radio, and the Project ECHO® virtual training model.