Health Equity Resource Series
The COVID-19 pandemic’s disproportionate impact on Black, Latino, Native Americans and other communities of color has accelerated the integration of health equity into health care strategy playbooks across the nation. Within health care settings, from urban to rural and from hospitals to ambulatory care sites and clinics, there is renewed focus on efforts to advance health equity. Furthermore, there is strong evidence of a commitment to ensure equitable practices are tied to the core work of improving quality and advancing health equity. To support hospitals and health systems starting from different points on their journey to strengthen health equity, the AHA’s Institute for Diversity and Health Equity (IFDHE) is preparing four new guidance and resource toolkits to share evidence-based practices to inform organizational next steps. Look for additional IFDHE toolkits to be released throughout 2021.
These toolkits highlight four compelling strategies to prioritize health equity. These foundational pillars include:
- Data collection, validation, stratification and application of patient information to address disparate outcomes
- Cultural competency and implicit bias training and education
- Diversity and inclusion in leadership and governance roles
- Sustainable community partnerships focused on improving equity
How to Use these toolkits
Recognizing there is no predetermined starting point, these toolkits are designed to meet organizations where they currently stand. Initial processes may include:
- Establishing the organization’s baseline experience
- Focusing on one or two key areas to drive change
- Tracking progress over time
