GRADUATE COURSE
Healthcare for Marginalized
Americans
ACC – HMA 705
Graduate-level study of healthcare disparities, access to care, and evidence-based strategies for improving health outcomes among underserved populations in the United States.
Is this Course Right For You?
Healthcare for Marginalized Americans is designed for healthcare professionals, healthcare students, public health practitioners, community health workers, and organizational leaders seeking to better understand the barriers that contribute to health disparities. Learners explore practical approaches to improving access, equity, and health outcomes among underserved populations in urban, rural, refugee, immigrant, and low-income communities throughout the United States.
What You'll Gain
Why Healthcare for Marginalized Americans Matters
Millions of Americans experience barriers to healthcare because of geography, income, language, culture, disability, or limited access to services. Healthcare professionals play an important role in recognizing these challenges and developing effective solutions. This course equips learners with practical strategies to improve healthcare access, strengthen patient outcomes, and promote healthier communities.
Meet Your Faculty
Fred Loper, MD
Associate Professor
Drawing on decades of experience serving uninsured, underserved, refugee, and immigrant populations, Dr. Loper helps learners understand healthcare disparities and develop practical approaches to improving access, equity, and health outcomes in marginalized communities.
Cost & Affordability
INMED is committed to providing affordable, graduate-level education for healthcare professionals and students worldwide.
Tuition for the Epidemiology $1,050.
Ready to Begin?
Join healthcare professionals and students developing the knowledge and skills needed to serve effectively across cultures and communities.
Current INMED students may enroll through the LMS. New learners taking this course independently may create an account and register online.
Course Details
About this Course
Many people live on the margins of United States society due to race, language, ethnicity, income, immigration status, and more. The United States is distinct from other developed countries in that there is no single national health care system that provides access for all of its inhabitants. Also notable in the US is the relative lack of attention to social needs that are so vital to health. As a result, marginalized people are frequently unable to access essential health care. This course explores the complex patchwork of ingredients which comprise United States health care systems, with special attention its deficiencies for marginalized people. The profound impact of social determinants of health are examined. Health resources are evaluated. Obstacles to care are identified, along with “work around” solutions commonly used by marginalized people. Existing and potential solutions to the healthcare dilemma for US marginalized people are explored. Course participants are challenged to advocate for a more equitable US health care system. This is a comprehensive course built around the required textbooks “The American Healthcare Paradox” by Elizabeth H. Bradley and Lauren A. Taylor (PublicAffairs, 2013) and “Health Care Off the Books” by Danielle T. Raudenbush (University of California Press, 2020).
This course may be taken individually or applied toward select INMED graduate credentials.
Competency Objectives
At the completion of the Healthcare for Marginalized Americans Course, learners will be able to demonstrate using case-studies and simulation:
- Comprehension of the obstacles and resources which exist for US marginalized people in accessing health care
- Skills to improve the individual care of marginalized people which arise from an approach of cultural humility.
- Effective strategies for addressing the social determinants of health in the lives of marginalized people.
Schedule & Format
Download the Syllabus for the Healthcare for Marginalized Americans
INMED Graduate Courses follow a structured eight-week learning format designed to promote meaningful engagement, collaboration, and application.
Course Format
- Eight-week online learning experience
- Weekly faculty-guided virtual classroom sessions
- Assigned readings and learning activities
- Interaction with faculty and fellow learners
- Applied assignments and assessments
Time Commitment
Learners should anticipate dedicating approximately 4-6 hours per week to readings, coursework, discussions, assignments, and virtual classroom participation.
Education & Evaluation
Education Methods
Learners will achieve the course competency objectives through the following educational methods:
- Assigned book and article readings
- Critical analysis
- Group discussions
- Essay Composition
- Simulation exercises
Evaluation Methods & Requirements For Successful Completion
Assessment of the learner’s performance will be based upon:
- Demonstration of the competency objectives using case-studies and simulation
- Completion of all Chapter Discussion Board assignments
- Completion of all Article Discussion Board assignments
- Achievement of ≥ 80% on the Healthcare for Marginalized Americans Essay
- Achievement of ≥ 80% on the Healthcare for Marginalized Americans Final Exam
- Complete evaluation and credit claims forms at the course conclusion.
Continuing Education
Continuing Medical Education (CME) credit for the INMED Healthcare for Marginalized Americans Course is attained through satisfactory completion of the course requirements. Note: CME is not applicable to students or resident physicians.
Cost
There is no additional charge for Continuing Medical Education (CME) credit.
Accreditation Statement
Physicians
Institute for International Medicine is accredited by the Kentucky Medical Association to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Institute for International Medicine designates this other activity (live course and enduring material) for a maximum of 32 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Accreditation Launch Date: February 1, 2024
Accreditation Termination Date: February 1, 2027
Other Healthcare Professionals
A certificate of completion indicating the number of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ will be issued for completing this course. Certificates may be submitted to applicable state boards for recognition.
Disclosures
No persons in control of the content of this course have relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.
| Nicholas Comninellis MD MPH DIMPH | No relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose |
| Fred Loper MD | No relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose |
| Timothy Myrick MD DTMH | No relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose |
| Leda Rivera | No relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose |
Policies
Enrollment in INMED courses constitutes agreement with all applicable academic and administrative policies.
Refund Policy
Refund requests are subject to INMED’s published refund schedule and policies.
Attendance
Learners are expected to actively participate in all required learning activities and virtual classroom sessions.
Punctuality
Assignments and assessments should be completed by established deadlines. Late submissions may affect successful course completion.
Academic Standing
INMED reserves the right to dismiss learners who fail to meet academic, professional, or behavioral expectations.
Technology Requirements
Learners are responsible for maintaining reliable internet access and the technology necessary to participate fully in online learning activities.
Additional policies are available through the Student Policies section.
