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The Roadmap to Informed Healthcare
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Click below to receive our CrossRoads newsletter.
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Greetings!
Welcome to the September issue of CrossRoads, a regular newsletter from Pharmacist Partners.
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Targeting Ethnic Markets
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Ann Middleman
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Guest Commentary: Ann Middleman, Principal at ADM Marketing
Hispanic Markets Are Not To Be Ignored!
As any communication professional knows, the diversity of the US population is increasing and the fastest growing group is of Hispanic/Latino ancestry. The challenge many companies face in connecting with this vital market is not only in language, but also in understanding the culture and values their Hispanic audience members hold dear. Speaking the language alone does not mean you can effectively appeal to these customs and values.
Too many brands take a one-size-fits-all approach to connecting with Hispanic markets. This audience has differing needs and unique emotional triggers. Depending on your product or service, what clicks with someone of Mexican descent may not necessarily click with someone from the Dominican Republic, Peru, etc.
Segment intelligently:
Are you communicating with adolescents or family decision makers? Do they fall into the first- or second-generation immigration group? Do you want to talk about a new drug product or a disease state? Craft your messages and goals around their needs, not yours.
Multicultural marketing and communications do not stop with the Hispanic community. Every ethnic and cultural group has its own unique values and requires an equally informed approach to establish an effective dialogue and successful relationship.
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September is Diabetes Awareness Month
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- More than 18.2 million people in the U.S. have diabetes and another 41 million have a condition known as pre-diabetes.
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Diabetes is the 5th leading cause of death among Hispanics and the 4th leading cause of death among Hispanic woman.
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Hispanics are 50% more likely to die from diabetes and the disease strikes Hispanics at younger ages.
- The Global diabetes market, valued at $34.1 billion in 2012, has retained its market value despite the entry of generics.
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LISA GALE, PHD - Sneak Peek of Position Paper
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 A series of position papers on Literacy, Cultural Competency, and Effects on Adherence are being produced by Lisa Gale Van Brackle, PhD and Pharmacist Partners. Below is a preview of this series. CrossRoads readers will receive a message when the first paper of the series is available.
******* The implication of limited health literacy on health outcomes and specifically medication adherence and patient self-management is considerable. Patients with limited health literacy are more likely to misinterpret their prescriptions than those with adequate skills; have more difficulty identifying medicines, and in understanding how to take medicine. Understandably, patients with limited literacy skills are reluctant to ask providers questions because they are ashamed to admit that they do not understand. Without clear information and an understanding of the information's importance, patients are more likely to skip necessary medical tests, end up in the emergency room and have a harder time managing chronic diseases like diabetes or high blood pressure. Additionally, individuals with low literacy have worse short term memory as compared to those with higher literacy, having implications for how patients "hold" information when confronted with distractions or the need to perform simultaneous activities. It is the purpose of this series of papers to explore how pharmacists are presently and purposefully leveraging their competencies to address health literacy and impact medication adherence. ********* |
"Peer-to-Peer" Points of Interest - Russ Bennett
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"Over a third of U.S. adults - 77 million people-would have difficulty with
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Russ Bennett, VP Latino Health Solutions,
UnitedHealthcare
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common health tasks, such as following directions on a prescription drug label or adhering to a childhood immunization schedule using a standard chart." This surprising NAAL* data was brought to our attention by Russ Bennett.
Limited health literacy isn't a disease that makes itself easily visible. In fact, you can't tell by looking. Health literacy depends on the context. Even people with strong literacy skills can face health literacy challenges during stressful times, or if they have complex conditions requiring complicated self-care.
Russ developed PlanBien for United Healthcare. In 2012 Russ received the "Leadership In Innovation" Award from the National Hispanic Medical Association.
*National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL) 2003.
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Welcome Griff Danheim, SVP, Corporate Development & Alliances
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Griff C. Danheim
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Pharmacist Partners is pleased to welcome Griff C. Danheim, SVP Corporate Development and Alliances, to our team. Mr. Danheim joins us in our development of critical business alliances and long term strategic relationships with our potential partners in the pharmaceutical, specialty pharmacy, and manufacturing industry.
Mr. Danheim's tenure with organizations such as Fujisawa USA (Astellas), Gensia-Sicor (TEVA), Altana USA, has provided a broad experience of market and alliance development in the oncology, specialty pharmacy, and biological product areas.
WELCOME GRIFF !
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Trendsetters
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 UK becomes first country in world to allow physios ( physical therapists) and podiatrists to prescribe drugs to patients. Under the new legislation, the "advanced practitioners" will no longer have to refer patients back to another healthcare professional if medication is needed. |
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Our guiding principle is in line with our clients - to improve patient health.
Without argument low health literacy and suboptimal medication adherence are more prevalent in racial/ethnic minority groups than Caucasians. The only plausible conclusion to be drawn is the need to emphasize health literacy (and parity) across demographics for the purpose of adequately addressing the chronic health needs of minorities. The prevalence of chronic diseases is increasing, the drugs to treat chronic conditions are among the highest prescribed, and minorities account for nearly 45% of patients diagnosed and treated for chronic conditions. Unfortunately, the level of literacy and parity within demographics is not following the same trajectory. Consequently, these factors are skewing the efforts to improve health outcomes. To propose a single solution is futile as this problem requires effort from multiple parties and with clear endpoints. But among all of the answers one remains quite simple and arguably most effective - improved communication between drug manufacturers and patients. Pharmacist Partners places itself at the center of this interaction.
Sincerely,
David
David Perry, CEO
Pharmacist Partners LLC
1-855-742-7611 |
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