Working Together to Improve Health Equity
Every American deserves affordable, high-quality care and health coverage regardless of health status, race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or disability. For years, health insurance providers have been committed to improving health equity and combating social determinants of health in our communities.
We know that ending discrimination and systemic racism is essential for an equitable health care system – but addressing discrimination alone does not fully address health equity challenges.
In honor of Black History Month, we talked with several of our most prominent and distinguished leaders in health care to learn more about how we can work together to improve health equity – and what we can learn from other health care leaders.
This is a seminal moment for racial and social justice and greater diversity, equity, and inclusion. We have an urgent mandate to reform our health care system so everyone in America has an equal opportunity to thrive and achieve their best health.
Featured Leaders
“With the substantial amounts of data we can access, health insurance providers can use analytics to shine a light on race-based disparities in health care.”
“A person’s overall health is impacted by more than just their medical issues. As such, we believe total health cannot be attained by simply providing access to health care.”
“We all know about some of the long-standing issues regarding the fear and mistrust of the health care system by Black and Brown populations. More information about the vaccines should be provided by the Federal government as part of a national COVID-19 strategy for transparency.”
“Our members have made it clear that they are committed to making diversity and equity a part of the overall culture of their organizations.”
“The first steps providers can take start with the composition of their workforce. You cannot advocate for diversity if you do not focus on diversity in your own house.”
“Looking to the future, we also need to address the root of the problem: the historic under-representation of people of color in our scientific and medical communities”
