Upper Marlboro, MD (December 3, 2024) – The Maryland Commission on Public Health held its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, November 7, with Dr. Meena Brewster as presiding co-chair.
Strategies to strengthen public health systems by bringing together community partners, sharing responsibility for health results, and making healthcare more fair and accessible for Marylanders were the themes of last week’s meeting. The Commission heard from Dr. Roderick King, Senior Vice President and Chief Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer at the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), about UMMS’ efforts to further integrate health equity into its ongoing projects. This includes identifying data metrics to describe and monitor disparities and deploying targeted interventions to address social needs. Dr. King’s presentation offered concrete examples of how health equity work involves shared accountability across a health system and its partners, including public health agencies. Dr. King highlighted how public health leaders could work closely with their healthcare delivery partners.
Later, Dr. Katherine Feldman, the Chief Performance Officer at the Maryland Department of Health’s Public Health Services, continued the topic of data-driven initiatives at the state level. She briefed the Commission on the state agency’s reaccreditation efforts, as well as the most recent state health assessment and subsequent state health improvement plan. The assessment and plan, launched as Building a Healthier Maryland, are centered on five priority areas: chronic disease, access to care, women’s health, violence, and behavioral health. Undergirding these priority areas is a special emphasis on health equity and reducing health disparities. The full plan can be found on the Department’s website.
The Commission on Public Health also held a special meeting virtually on Wednesday, November 20, to discuss and adopt the interim report required by statute. Dr. Boris Lushniak was the presiding co-chair. A recording of the meeting is accessible online at the Commission’s website.
The next meeting of the Commission on Public Health will be Thursday, December 5th, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Prince George’s County Government facilities. The meeting is accessible online or in person, and a recording will be posted to the Commission’s website. Dr. Oluwatosin Olateju will be the presiding co-chair.
For more information about the monthly meetings or other opportunities to provide input to the Commission about public health topics, please visit the Commission’s website at smchd.org/coph.
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The Maryland Commission on Public Health was established in 2023 to study and make recommendations to improve Maryland’s public health system. The 16-member body is comprised of local health officers, academic partners, thought leaders, and legislators. The Maryland Department of Health is represented by the Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services, the Deputy Secretary for Behavioral Health, and the Director of the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities. Many additional leaders and professionals are contributing to the Commission’s five workgroups. The Commission’s goal is to ensure the public health system is designed to help all Marylanders achieve their best health and a lifetime of wellness. Meetings are held monthly and streamed online. For more information, please visit smchd.org/coph.