—To avoid stigmatizing language or the
association with animal origin, the health insurer and its medical
practice join in the movement of using "MPV" as the preferred
term—
—Majority of reported cases in NYC are
among Hispanics and Blacks, yet vaccines mainly go to
others—
NEW
YORK, Sept. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
EmblemHealth, one of the nation's largest nonprofit health
insurers, and advocacy and community leaders held an MPV (formerly
referred to as monkeypox virus) educational town hall on Wednesday.
Leading concerns raised during the public event included the spread
and risks of infection, vaccine disparities and eligibility, and
the stigmatization of certain groups.
"MPV can infect anyone, which is why we want everyone to be
aware of the symptoms, the risks, and the risk mitigation
strategies," said Dr. Navarra Rodriguez,
President, and Chief Medical Officer at
AdvantageCare Physicians (ACPNY). "It is also important
for community providers and organizations like ACPNY and
EmblemHealth, which are trusted sources of care, information, and
understanding of the unique and diverse communities we serve, to be
part of the overall public health emergency response."
"We must utilize the lessons learned [during the pandemic] to
keep our communities healthy," said Dr. EL Zein, Senior Medical
Director of Population Health, and Clinician Engagement at
EmblemHealth. "The health department and public health
communities are working to address disparities in access to
vaccination by reporting on it and trying to mitigate it as well.
Together we can help fix these issues by increasing access in
communities most affected by the disparities, by educating through
trusted channels, and by having the vaccine available in trusted
places where people can go and seek care and ask questions without
fear of stigma."
EmblemHealth's virtual MPV– Educating and Supporting our
Communities– Town Hall featured physician and population
health experts from EmblemHealth and ACPNY. They addressed
frequently asked questions and concerns about MPV symptoms,
testing, vaccines, and prevention. GMHC (Gay Men's Health Crisis) and other community
officials also discussed the impact on the LGBTQ+ community and how
to ensure the city's virus response prioritizes vulnerable
communities while decreasing the stigmas and racial disparities
associated with the disease.
New York City Council Member Crystal Hudson (Brooklyn, District 35), who is a member of
the council's Health committee and co-chair of the LGBTQIA+ Caucus,
said, "It's so important that we continue to destigmatize MPV and
make certain that everyone understands that anyone can get this
virus and that we are reaching the communities that we know have
been disproportionately impacted. We can't just inform those
communities; we also have to provide the resources and services
they need—including access to vaccines and testing along with
culturally competent healthcare. Healthcare providers that know and
understand their needs—the needs of the LGBTQIA+ communities,
communities of color, and other marginalized communities are
crucial. I thank and commend EmblemHealth for their partnership and
for leading the way and having these types of conversations."
"Focus on science, not stigma," added Jason Cianciotto, Vice President,
Communications & Policy at GMHC. "It's easy to get
distracted in our social media-driven world […], but we
fundamentally believe that people have the capacity to understand
and help support two basic points. (1) Monkeypox is a virus that
can affect anyone. There is no such thing as a gay virus, (2) Those
most affected in the United States
and Europe are members of gay,
bisexual, and men who have sex with other men communities. Those
two things can exist at the same time. As long as we accurately and
clearly talk about how MPV is transmitted, and how people can
reduce their risk of infection, and we don't participate and
promote shaming of people based on who they are and who they have
sex with."
During the COVID-19 pandemic, EmbelmHealth and ACPNY worked in
partnership with New York State,
New York City, community-based
organizations, and local leaders to ensure that tests and vaccines
were accessible and equitably distributed to city residents,
particularly those living in underserved and hard to reach
communities as well as frontline workers and first responders. But
according to recent city data, inequities in vaccine distribution
are again following along racial and ethnic lines in New
York.
As not to return to the dark days of the COVID-19 pandemic,
EmblemHealth encourages and strongly supports a coordinated effort
among public and private stakeholders to ensure all communities,
especially those disproportionately impacted and the most
vulnerable, have ongoing access to education, preventive services,
testing, and vaccines.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE TOWN HALL DISCUSSION
If you have questions or concerns about MPV, please visit the
EmblemHealth resource and information center at
emblemhealth.com/live-well/monkeypox-virus.
About EmblemHealth
EmblemHealth is one of the nation's largest nonprofit health
insurers, with 3.2 million members and an 80-year legacy of serving
New York's communities. The
company offers a full range of commercial and government-sponsored
health plans to employers, individuals, and families, as well as a
community-based medical practice and convenient, free community
resources. As a market leader in value-based care, EmblemHealth
partners with top doctors and hospitals to deliver quality,
equitable and affordable care. For more information, visit
emblemhealth.com.
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SOURCE EMBLEM HEALTH