Jan. 23, 2021

How health care organizations can tackle racism in patient care

"The new American Medical Association policy recognizing racism as a public health threat and providing an anti-racist approach to equitable care will have no effectiveness unless health care organizations get their own houses in order and actively do...

"The new American Medical Association policy recognizing racism as a public health threat and providing an anti-racist approach to equitable care will have no effectiveness unless health care organizations get their own houses in order and actively do anti-racism work in their own institutions.

Although I’m not a health care provider, as a health care communicator whose role is dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion, I sit in rooms where health disparities in hard-hit communities due to systemic racism are regular topics of conversations. But in the hallways, on Zoom meetings, in texts and email conversations, I also learn about all how disparities due to systemic racism are rampant inside an institution and make organizational health equity seem like a faraway dream.

How can you fight to advance health equity and racial justice out in the community when you’re not doing the same within your own organization?"

Nikki Hopewell is a communications strategist.

She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "Health care organizations: Clean up your house first, then you can tackle racism in patient care." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2020/12/health-care-organizations-clean-up-your-house-first-then-you-can-tackle-racism-in-patient-care.html)