2020 marks a transformational year for diversity and inclusion as a business imperative for the health care field. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to magnify preexisting racial, ethnic and older adults’ health disparities. Health disparities based on race in health care are the result of many decades of systematic inequality in the U.S., perpetuated by segregation, economic discrimination and environmental degradation. Protests against police brutality and racial inequality have been continuous across not only all 50 states but around the globe.

 

Rick Pollack, CEO of the American Hospital Association (AHA), said in a statement that the ongoing protests, "give voice to deep-seated frustration and hurt and the very real need for systemic change…As places of healing, hospitals have an important role to play in the wellbeing of their communities," Pollack said. "As we've seen in the pandemic, communities of color have been disproportionately affected, both in infection rates and economic impact. The AHA's vision is of a society of healthy communities, where ALL individuals reach their highest potential for health. These words guide what we do every day. To achieve that vision, we must address racial, ethnic and cultural inequities, including those in health care that are everyday realities for far too many individuals. While progress has been made, we have so much more work to do.”

 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) must be treated as more than a line item in board meetings—it represents a core set of values that must be present in all health providers’ planning to thrive in the future. Until all clinical and administrative employees feel they are properly accepted, supported and belong in the workplace, it will be impossible for a hospital or health system to progress and be successful. In the past, many health providers thought about DE&I more from a quota-completion perspective. However, most leaders today understand the need to dig deeper and demonstrate their genuine commitment to helping all employees belong and feel supported to bring their authentic selves to work every day.

 

Charlotte Hughes

Senior Manager, Talent Development at ChenMed

 

Ernest Perry

Senior Advisor, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Business Partner at OhioHealth

  

1 CHHR, 1 HRCI, 1 SHRM