Feb. 8, 2022
Black Health and Wellness: Moving away from disparities and toward health equity
One of the key components of our Social Justice Framework is addressing health disparities in an intentional and strategic way to result in measurable improvements. Health disparities are generally defined as differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and burden of disease experienced by disadvantaged, underserved, and underrepresented populations that result in disproportionately poor health.
As we seek to advance Black health and wellness during Black History Month and throughout the year, it is essential to recognize the disparities that are experienced by African Americans across our nation. However, recognizing the disparities is not enough – we must analyze their root causes and take action to address them.
Current state
We know that Black communities in the United States experience poorer health and health outcomes than their white counterparts. The CDC (2017) reports that African Americans are more likely to die at early ages from all causes when compared to the white population.
Health disparities experienced by African Americans are significant in many areas. Black communities have higher rates of hypertension, diabetes and stroke, and lower completion rates for preventive care services such as breast and colorectal cancer screening, and vaccination.
Perhaps the worst disparity experienced by Blacks in the United States is found in the number of pregnancy-related deaths. Black birthing women under the age of 20 experience 1.5 times the rate of pregnancy-related death compared to white women. For those above the age of 30, the maternal mortality rate jumps to 4.3 times that of white women in the same age group (SCU, 2021).
Considering the root cause
We must acknowledge that we need a systems-change approach to eliminate health disparities. Poorer health outcomes are experienced almost exclusively by disadvantaged, underserved and underrepresented communities, and the root cause lies in our social systems and social determinants of health (SDOH). SDOH are defined as the “conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, and play that affect a wide range of health and quality-of life-risks and outcomes” (CDC,2022), including things like air pollution, low access to healthy foods, lacking health care services, unaffordable housing, and inadequate transportation.
Our Social Justice Framework calls us to expand and improve reporting of social determinants of health to include social disenfranchisement, discrimination, and trauma secondary to racism to more accurately reflect the needs of vulnerable populations – including our Black communities. Addressing social determinants of health is an important step in achieving health equity and making every neighborhood, every community and every life – whole and healthy.
Effecting change
We can effect change and move towards diversity, inclusion, fairness, respect, acceptance and grace – individually and collectively as a ministry.
Here are some things you can do individually:
- Learn about the history of the relationship between African Americans and the health care system.
- Learn about implicit bias and how to reduce it. Check out our Resources page on the Diversity & Inclusion SharePoint site to get started!
- Speak up when you see an injustice and stand in allyship with those who are oppressed.
- Engage in health equity projects to improve the quality of care we give to our communities of color.
- Join the Diversity and Inclusion Council at your facility. Click here to learn more!
- Make every patient experience one that exemplifies our mission, values and commitment to social justice.
As a ministry, our Diversity & Inclusion team is working on the following areas to advance the commitments of our Social Justice Framework:
- Gathering and analyzing health disparity data for our African American patients
- Training our Women’s Health, OB, and NICU staff on maternal health disparities
- Rolling out implicit bias training for all our associates
- Supporting community organizations that advance the health and wellness of African American communities through our Health Equity and Advancement Fund
Visit the
Diversity & Inclusion SharePoint page for more resources and information.
Questions?Contact
DiversityandInclusion@centura.org.
Sources:
Cancer Facts & Figures for African Americans 2019-2021Black Women Maternal Mortality (stkate.edu)https://www.cdc.gov/socialdeterminants/
As we seek to advance Black health and wellness during Black History Month and throughout the year, it is essential to recognize health disparities, analyze their root causes and take action to address them.
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