Reducing Healthcare Disparities

April is National Minority Health Month. With COVID-19 having a disproportionate impact in communities of color, emphasis on improving access to vaccines as they become more widely available and eliminating health care inequities is critical.

For March 2021, some communities are launching the Transgender Month of Action for Healthcare Equality. The month, specifically focused on the health care needs of transgender and gender non-conforming people, aims to address barriers and areas for growth and highlight victories.

Health care isn't something else we do, it is at the heart of everything we do. Health care organizations have many compelling reasons for making health equity a top priority. They include opportunities for providing tremendous value to patients, hospitals and the health care delivery system.

David Baker, MD, MPH, FACP Chief, Division of General Internal Medicine Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago, IL Anne Beal, MD, MPH Assistant Vice President The Commonwealth Fund New York, NY Joseph Betancourt, MD, MPH Director for Multicultural Education, Multicultural Affairs Office…

Roxanne Andrews, PhD AHRQ Rockville MD Dennis Andrulis, PhD Associate Dean, Director Center for Health Equality Drexel University School of Public Health Philadelphia PA Anne Beal, MD, MPH Assistant Vice President The Commonwealth Fund New York NY

Native American Heritage Month reminds us about the devastating and disproportionate impact COVID-19 has had on American Indian and Alaskan Native communities. It also presents an opportunity to re-focus efforts to help these communities overcome social and economic obstacles to improve overall…

Breaking the ice can be complicated! How can hospitals and health systems create trusting environments that make interactions between patients and health care providers more comfortable and inclusive? Join Keith Stinson, RN and emergency department nursing director at Chatham Hospital, serving a…

Individuals who are blind or visually impaired present unique health communications needs as they seek to access and act upon health information.

Read the HRET Disparities Toolkit FAQ.

View more helpful resources for collecting race, ethnicity and language data from patients.