As health systems work to improve patient outcomes, health equity initiatives offer great promise for meaningful change. But there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for addressing the complexities of health disparities. To effectively address health disparities, organizations must implement health equity strategies that target systemic barriers and root causes to create lasting improvements in care access, quality, and patient outcomes. Here are strategies that can help drive comprehensive, system-wide change.
Prioritizing health equity education
Systemic change starts with building an understanding of the root causes of health disparities and how health systems, clinicians, and administrators may contribute to them. For example, building self-awareness about our own implicit or unconscious racial biases is important as these can directly influence the quality of care delivery. A 2016 survey found that 40% of medical students believed Black patients have a higher threshold to pain than patients of other races and ethnicities. Research has also found Black patients are 22% less likely than White patients to receive pain medication.
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Organizations can empower employees by offering training on implicit bias, culturally sensitive communication and social determinants of health. This education should go beyond theory, providing practical solutions to improve patient care. Such educational programs must extend beyond training in medical school – they should be available in the clinical and administrative settings as well. It is critical that health equity is at the forefront of decision-making to ensure better health outcomes for all patients.
Increasing provider representation
Health systems have both the ability and responsibility to improve workforce representation in their communities. As a Black woman physician, I have treated patients in my emergency department – which serves a large African American population – who shared their excitement to have a doctor with a similar background. Research shows representation matters – several studies have found patients experience improved outcomes when receiving care from providers of the background. Prioritizing diversity in recruitment and hiring practices is a direct way to increase workforce diversity. However, there are other impactful initiatives that can support aspiring and current healthcare professionals through their career journeys.
Although medical school enrollment has become more diverse in recent years, America has groups that are still underrepresented compared to the U.S. population. To build a more representative physician workforce that reflects the communities they serve, organizations can help address the barriers historically marginalized students face when pursuing medical careers. Providing scholarships, career guidance, and application assistance can make healthcare careers more accessible for underrepresented groups.
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As physicians enter the workforce, organizations can support their careers by fostering inclusive work environments where they feel valued. Offering mentorship programs, employee resource groups, and professional development opportunities can help underrepresented groups feel supported and empowered to excel and advance in their careers.
Collaborating with community partners
To build healthier communities, we must work alongside communities, particularly those who are underrepresented or underserved, to create access, build sustainable infrastructures and address the needs of underserved patients. Partnering with local community-based organizations and developing outreach programs extend care and resources to those who may not have access to healthcare services.
As a volunteer provider, I’ve witnessed the profound impact that free, health screenings and physical exams can have on individuals who struggled to access necessary healthcare. At a volunteer clinic in Los Angeles, we cared for a student who couldn’t understand why he was having difficulty with school. After a vision screening, we realized he couldn’t even see the backboard at the front of the classroom. It made me realize how these kind of health discrepancies can have far ranging implications.
Similarly, collaborations with community partners have made community health fairs possible across several U.S. cities, offering no-cost care and resources, such as case management, dental checkups, and food assistance. By meeting underserved patients where they are, healthcare organizations and their partners can work together to address structural inequities and extend care beyond the hospital.
Leveraging data & technology
Advancements in research and technology have helped us better understand the underlying causes of health disparities and emphasize the necessity of health equity initiatives. Now, it’s time that we leverage technology and data to empower health systems to transform the way we practice and deliver care. Promising innovations include artificial intelligence to personalize treatment plans, blockchain to secure patient data and enhance transparency, and continued expansion of telemedicine to increase access.
Artificial intelligence and data analytics are also invaluable tools for measuring the effectiveness of our programs. By evaluating health equity initiatives, we can refine and expand our efforts to ensure maximum impact.
Implementing collective, system-wide change
I often say everyone has a role to play in bridging health equity gaps, whether you’re an administrator, a clinician, or a healthcare executive – but we cannot do it alone. Health equity efforts and initiatives hold such promise for the future of healthcare, but to truly unlock their full potential, we must integrate them into our broader health systems. Creating more equitable health systems takes a collective effort to address systemic issues in our existing healthcare infrastructure. By working together to implement and advance health equity strategies, we can ensure our efforts make a lasting impact on patient care.
Photo: gmast3r, Getty Images
Dr. Maureen Bell is Vituity’s Physician Director, Health Equity. She previously served as the emergency department medical director at Howard University Hospital, the nation’s only teaching hospital located on a historically Black university campus. As of 2024, she is an elected member of Vituity's Board of Directors.
In 2020, Dr. Bell became a founding board member of the Vituity Cares Foundation. Through this role, she works to improve the health of underserved communities and create a more diverse and inclusive healthcare workforce. Dr. Bell holds a medical degree from New York University School of Medicine and completed her emergency medicine residency at New York City Health and Hospitals Jacobi Medical Center. She credits her mother, a nurse, for inspiring her early interest in medicine.
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