Executive Summary (continued..)
An Expert Panel of ethnic physician leaders, health plan representatives, community-based organizations and public health leaders have come together to guide the development of the NEPO health disparities framework and the diabetes plan of action and to seek input and opportunities for ethnic physician leaders and their community partners to add their voice to the language of the plan.

As a first step in gathering this wider input in the formation of the diabetes health disparities plan of action, a daylong convening was held on Saturday, June 19th to bring together a larger audience to provide feedback into the development of the plan. Almost 60 ethnic physicians, community organization representatives, advocates, and government officials attended the Health Disparities Diabetes Convening. Building on the work of the Expert Panel of ethnic physician diabetes experts, led by Drs. Phyllis Preciado and Kwabena Adubofour, the Convening's participants divided into three groups to further discuss and develop a series of recommendations for the Expert Panel to take forward that spell out the initial steps the Network can take to address diabetes. These groups included Prevention, Disease Management and Public Policy.

Each group recommended a set of Action Steps that the Expert Panel will use in drafting the Diabetes Health Disparities Action Plan. In the area of Prevention, work group members felt the Network could serve as a clearinghouse for culturally and linguistically appropriate health education materials. In the area of Disease Management, focus was placed on strengthening self-management efforts, bringing a stronger focus of culturally appropriate care. And, in the area of Public Policy, the first step recommended was the development of the process that spells out how policy will be developed and supported by the Network. Attendees were enthusiastic about this first Convening and pledged their support to participate in implementing the Action Plan.

Opening Remarks - Rolland C. Lowe, MD
Rolland C. Lowe, MD, chair of the CMA Foundation Board of Directors opened the convening. Dr. Lowe shared with everyone how important this day is because for the first time ethnic physician, community based organization, and government leaders were meeting to unify their voice about health disparities. Dr. Lowe stressed the importance of taking efforts such as these that occur at the state level back to our communities to ensure that change happens where we live and work. Dr. Lowe also praised this as an important step in the growth of the Network of Ethnic Physician Organizations, serving as a convener to address critical health areas in California. Dr. Lowe concluded his remarks by thanking all those who would spend their day together to arrive at a set of priorities for action.

There is a Chinese saying that says - "'We all hear the thunder, but never see the rain.' As we move forward to address health disparities, it will be important to see the results - the rain - falling in our communities because that is where the success will be seen in people's lives. - Rolland Lowe, MD

1. Strengthen opportunities for ethnic physician organizations to partner with other agencies and organizations to reduce health disparities in their communities.
   
2. Increase understanding of the framework and process used to develop priorities for action in the NEPO Health Disparities Plan of Action.
   
3. Gain input on the priorities for action within each focus area.
   
4. Gather input in the formation of the health disparities minigrant guidelines.